What fees should I budget beyond the purchase price?

The main fees on top of a Dubai purchase price are the DLD registration fee at 4%, a fixed Oqood fee for off-plan sales confirmed in your contract, service charges once the unit is handed over, and furnishing if you choose it. None of these are optional add-ons your advisor invents; they are standard costs to plan for from day one.

16 September 2026 · By Orven Properties · 2 min read

Beyond the unit price itself, budget for the Dubai Land Department registration fee at 4% of the price, a fixed Oqood registration fee for off-plan sales confirmed in your sale contract, service charges that start once your unit is handed over, and furnishing costs if your unit is not delivered furnished. These are the standard categories that apply to most purchases, though the exact amount for Oqood, service charges and furnishing depends on your specific project and contract.

The Dubai Land Department fee

The DLD registration fee is 4% of the property price for a completed sale, shown by the DLD as 2% from the seller and 2% from the buyer, plus additional administrative fees. For an off-plan purchase, this same registration happens through the Oqood system, which records your sale contract with the DLD before the building exists. Our guide on Dubai property purchase costs walks through how this fee is calculated and when it is due.

The Oqood fee for off-plan purchases

Oqood registration carries its own fixed fee, confirmed in your sale and purchase agreement rather than quoted as a single figure here, since each developer structures it slightly differently. This fee is separate from, and additional to, the 4% DLD registration fee, not a substitute for it. Our guide on what Oqood is explains exactly what this registration covers.

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What comes later: service charges and furnishing

Once your unit is handed over, service charges begin, covering upkeep of shared facilities and common areas; the amount is set by the building's management and communicated by the developer, not something Orven can quote before handover. If your unit is not delivered furnished, and whether it is depends entirely on the project, furnishing is a separate cost you plan for once you know the layout and your own preferences.

How Orven helps you budget accurately

We walk through every fee category with you before you reserve, project by project, so there is no surprise cost once you have committed. Write to us on WhatsApp at +971 52 776 1939 or at sales@orvenproperties.com with the project you are considering, and we confirm exactly what applies to it.

FAQ

Is the 4% DLD fee the only registration cost? For a completed property, yes, alongside minor administrative fees. For an off-plan purchase, there is also a separate, fixed Oqood fee confirmed in your contract.

When do service charges start? They start once your unit is handed over. The exact amount is set by the building's management and communicated by the developer.

Is furnishing always required as an extra cost? It depends on the project; some units are delivered furnished, others are not. Your advisor confirms this for the specific project you are considering.

Are these fees the same for every project in the selection? The 4% DLD fee applies broadly, but Oqood fees, service charges and furnishing terms vary by project and are confirmed in your contract.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 4% DLD fee the only registration cost?

For a completed property, yes, alongside minor administrative fees. For an off-plan purchase, there is also a separate, fixed Oqood fee confirmed in your contract.

When do service charges start?

They start once your unit is handed over. The exact amount is set by the building's management and communicated by the developer.

Is furnishing always required as an extra cost?

It depends on the project; some units are delivered furnished, others are not. Your advisor confirms this for the specific project you are considering.

Are these fees the same for every project in the selection?

The 4% DLD fee applies broadly, but Oqood fees, service charges and furnishing terms vary by project and are confirmed in your contract.