Hidden Costs Breakdown

What every UAE buyer should know

• Sharjah registration (SRERD) is 2% of the purchase price plus a fixed admin fee. Dubai Land Department (DLD) charges 4%. Abu Dhabi charges 2% via ADM.
• Agent commission is typically 2% in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, and 2–2.5% in Dubai. It is negotiable and should always be confirmed in writing before signing an MOU.
• Service charges are levied annually per square foot and vary significantly by community — from AED 7/sq ft in basic Sharjah zones to AED 35+/sq ft in Dubai premium towers. Always verify the actual RERA-published service charge schedule for the specific building.
• Mortgage buyers pay an additional bank registration fee of 0.25% of the loan amount with DLD (Dubai), plus bank processing fees of 0.5–1% of the loan.
• DEWA connection (Dubai) costs AED 2,100 as a refundable deposit plus AED 110 admin. Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA) connection starts at AED 2,000. Etisalat/du internet setup adds AED 500–1,500.
• Municipality fees are charged monthly via utility bills: 5% of annual rent in Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi — even for owner-occupiers, calculated on a deemed rental value.

Planning basis: June 2026 published fee schedules from SRERD, DLD, ADM, RERA and utility authorities. Rates are subject to change. Service charge figures are area-level estimates — confirm exact amounts with the building's owners association or RERA filing. This tool is for buyer education only and does not constitute legal or financial advice.