Tools & Resources
Rent vs Buy Calculator
Model both paths year by year and find the point where buying starts to pay off.
Your numbers
Buying costs less by
AED 399,871
After 10 years, net of selling
Break-even
Year 4
First year buying costs no more than renting
Net cost of buying
AED 432,942
Cash out minus sale proceeds
Net cost of renting
AED 832,813
Rent minus investment gain
Year-by-year breakdown
Selected years. Net cost is cumulative cash out less what you keep (sale proceeds, or invested gains).
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Rent paid this year | AED 90,000 |
| Net cost of renting so far | AED 73,430 |
| Mortgage interest this year | AED 53,456 |
| Mortgage principal this year | AED 26,584 |
| Service charges and maintenance | AED 30,000 |
| Property value | AED 1,545,000 |
| Equity if sold (after 2% agency fee) | AED 340,684 |
| Net cost of buying so far | AED 183,596 |
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Rent paid this year | AED 101,296 |
| Net cost of renting so far | AED 388,076 |
| Mortgage interest this year | AED 48,224 |
| Mortgage principal this year | AED 31,816 |
| Service charges and maintenance | AED 31,883 |
| Property value | AED 1,738,911 |
| Equity if sold (after 2% agency fee) | AED 649,838 |
| Net cost of buying so far | AED 319,238 |
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Rent paid this year | AED 117,430 |
| Net cost of renting so far | AED 832,813 |
| Mortgage interest this year | AED 40,213 |
| Mortgage principal this year | AED 39,827 |
| Service charges and maintenance | AED 34,572 |
| Property value | AED 2,015,875 |
| Equity if sold (after 2% agency fee) | AED 1,103,655 |
| Net cost of buying so far | AED 432,942 |
Assumptions & sources
Every figure this calculator uses. “Official” figures come from the named authority; “Typical, confirm” figures vary by provider and should be checked before you commit. Last reviewed 22 October 2026.
DLD property transfer fee
4%
OfficialDubai Land Department: property sale registration (opens in a new tab)Last reviewed 22 October 2026DLD sets 2% for the buyer and 2% for the seller. In practice the buyer usually pays the full 4%; it is negotiable, so this estimate charges 4% to the buyer.
DLD knowledge and innovation fees, ready unit
AED 20
OfficialDubai Land Department: property sale registration (opens in a new tab)Last reviewed 22 October 2026AED 10 knowledge fee plus AED 10 innovation fee.
DLD knowledge and innovation fees, off-plan unit
AED 20
OfficialDubai Land Department: initial (off-plan) sale registration (opens in a new tab)Last reviewed 22 October 2026AED 10 knowledge fee plus AED 10 innovation fee on the initial (Oqood) sale registration.
Title deed issuance fee
AED 250
OfficialDubai Land Department: property sale registration (opens in a new tab)Last reviewed 22 October 2026Title deed certificate issuance. Applied to ready units only; off-plan units receive a title deed on handover.
Trustee fee price threshold
AED 500,000
OfficialDubai Land Department: property sale registration (opens in a new tab)Last reviewed 22 October 2026Properties below this price pay the lower trustee fee; at or above it, the higher fee.
Trustee office fee, price below AED 500,000
AED 2,000
OfficialDubai Land Department: property sale registration (opens in a new tab)Last reviewed 22 October 2026DLD service partner (registration trustee) fee, before VAT.
Trustee office fee, price AED 500,000 or more
AED 4,000
OfficialDubai Land Department: property sale registration (opens in a new tab)Last reviewed 22 October 2026DLD service partner (registration trustee) fee, before VAT.
Mortgage registration fee, share of the loan
0.25%
OfficialDubai Land Department: mortgage registration (opens in a new tab)Last reviewed 22 October 2026Charged on the mortgage value when the mortgage is registered.
Mortgage registration, fixed DLD fees
AED 270
OfficialDubai Land Department: mortgage registration (opens in a new tab)Last reviewed 22 October 2026AED 250 title deed issuance plus AED 10 knowledge and AED 10 innovation fees. A separate service partner fee may also apply; confirm with your trustee.
Bank arrangement fee, share of the loan
1%
Typical, confirmUAE bank tariffs (confirm with your lender) (opens in a new tab)Last reviewed 22 October 2026Banks charge up to 1% of the loan; many charge less. Confirm with your lender.
Property valuation fee
AED 3,000
Typical, confirmUAE bank tariffs (confirm with your lender) (opens in a new tab)Last reviewed 22 October 2026Typically AED 2,500 to 3,500 depending on the bank and property.
Agency commission on purchase
2%
Market conventionDubai market practice (not a regulated fee) (opens in a new tab)Last reviewed 22 October 2026Customary 2% of the price, plus VAT. Negotiable and not charged on every purchase.
Agency commission when you sell
2%
Market conventionDubai market practice (not a regulated fee) (opens in a new tab)Last reviewed 22 October 2026Assumed at the end of the period you choose. VAT on the sale commission is not added.
VAT on fees and commission
5%
Applied to the trustee fee and the agency commission.
Estimates only — not financial advice. Confirm fees with your trustee office and bank.