How to budget for an off-plan purchase in Dubai
The full list of budget lines behind an off-plan purchase, price, DLD fee, Oqood, service charges and furniture, using only the figures verified in our facts, so nothing surprises you at handover.
Why the unit price is only the starting point
An off-plan budget in Dubai is more than the price quoted for a unit. Registration fees, a fixed off-plan registration charge, service charges that begin once you own the unit, and furniture if the residence is not delivered furnished all sit on top. None of these figures are invented here; where FACTS confirms a number, we state it, and where it does not, we say "on request" or "confirmed by your adviser" rather than guessing.
The budget lines to plan for
| Line | What it is | What we can confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Unit price | The price of the residence itself | On request, varies by project and unit |
| DLD registration fee | Dubai Land Department fee on the transaction | 4% of the price for a completed sale; additional charges may apply, confirmed at registration |
| Oqood registration | Registration specific to an off-plan sale | A fixed fee, confirmed in the contract |
| Developer's administrative charges | Processing and documentation fees | Stated in the sales documents for your unit |
| Bank transfer fees | Your own bank's cost for international transfers | Set by your bank, not by Orven |
| Service charges | Ongoing community and building costs after handover | Confirmed by the developer once the unit is handed over |
| Furniture and fit-out | Furnishing the unit if not delivered furnished | Depends on the unit and your own choices |
The price and the payment plan
The unit price is spread according to the payment plan verified for the project: 20% at booking for every Prestige One project in our selection, followed by a construction and handover split that differs by project, from 20/80 at Coastal Haven to 20/50/30 at Mercedes-Benz Places | Binghatti City. Your adviser confirms the exact structure and the starting price for the unit you are considering; this guide does not add a figure where FACTS lists "on request."
The 4% DLD fee, precisely
The Dubai Land Department's registration fee is 4% of the price for a completed sale, made up of a 2% share from the seller and 2% from the buyer plus additional administrative charges, and this is the reference figure for the acquisition cost you should plan around. For an off-plan purchase, the Oqood registration applies instead of a standard title transfer at the point of sale; its own fixed fee is confirmed in your contract, and the DLD percentage still applies to the transaction overall.
What Oqood covers, separate from the DLD fee
Oqood is the Dubai Land Department's system for registering off-plan sales before the project is complete. It is a distinct line from the 4% registration fee, with its own fixed charge stated in the sales documents. Ask your adviser to itemise both separately in your budget rather than treating them as one line.
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Service charges after handover
Once you take ownership, the building and community you have bought into carry ongoing service charges, covering the upkeep of shared amenities such as pools, gyms and landscaped areas listed for each project in our selection. These charges are set by the developer or the owners' association and confirmed once the unit is handed over; Orven does not quote a rate here because none is verified in our facts.
Furniture and fit-out
Some residences, such as the branded Hilton Residences, are associated with hotel-standard finishes, but the exact furnishing specification for any unit is confirmed in the sales documents, not assumed from the brand alone. If a unit is delivered unfurnished or partially furnished, budget separately for furniture, appliances and fit-out based on your own choices, since this is not a figure FACTS provides.
Building your own budget worksheet
- Ask your adviser for the current starting price of two or three units matching your budget and typology.
- Add 4% for DLD registration and the fixed Oqood fee confirmed in the contract.
- Ask about the developer's administrative charges specific to your unit.
- Set aside a separate estimate for your own bank's transfer fees across every instalment.
- Once you have a target project, ask what service charges are expected after handover and whether the unit is delivered furnished.
Reserving with a full picture
Working through each line before you reserve avoids surprises at handover, when the largest single payment and the first service charges often land close together. Orven does not charge the buyer a fee; ours comes from the developer, so this budgeting conversation costs you nothing.
See the Coastal Haven page for a project with a verified 20/80 plan, and our guide on the 20% down payment structure for how the entry point works across our selection. Reach Orven on WhatsApp at +971 52 776 1939 or at sales@orvenproperties.com to build your own budget line by line.
FAQ
Is the 4% DLD fee the only government charge on an off-plan purchase? It is the main one confirmed in our facts, alongside the fixed Oqood registration for off-plan sales. Additional administrative charges can apply; your adviser confirms the full list for your transaction.
Are service charges the same across every project in the selection? No figure is verified across the board. Each developer or owners' association sets its own rate, confirmed once the unit is handed over.
Do I need to budget for furniture even at a branded residence? Confirm the exact specification in the sales documents rather than assuming full furnishing from the brand name alone.
Can Orven give me a full cost estimate before I reserve? Yes. Send your budget and the project you are considering, and we return an itemised estimate based on the current sales documents.
Does the payment plan affect how I should budget for these extra costs? It affects the timing more than the total. A plan like Coastal Haven's 20/80 concentrates the acquisition costs near handover alongside the 80%, while a plan like Hilton's 20/40/40 spreads some of that planning earlier.
ORVEN PROPERTIES
Talk to an Orven adviser
Leave your number: an adviser calls you back or replies on WhatsApp, in your language. No commitment.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 4% DLD fee the only government charge on an off-plan purchase?
It is the main one confirmed in our facts, alongside the fixed Oqood registration for off-plan sales. Additional administrative charges can apply; your adviser confirms the full list for your transaction.
Are service charges the same across every project in the selection?
No figure is verified across the board. Each developer or owners' association sets its own rate, confirmed once the unit is handed over.
Do I need to budget for furniture even at a branded residence?
Confirm the exact specification in the sales documents rather than assuming full furnishing from the brand name alone.
Can Orven give me a full cost estimate before I reserve?
Yes. Send your budget and the project you are considering, and we return an itemised estimate based on the current sales documents.
Does the payment plan affect how I should budget for these extra costs?
It affects the timing more than the total. A plan like Coastal Haven's 20/80 concentrates the acquisition costs near handover alongside the 80%, while a plan like Hilton's 20/40/40 spreads some of that planning earlier.
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