5 min read
Published: 8 jan 2026

Trustee Fee Dubai: Meaning & Complete Breakdown for Property Buyers

Dubai skyline at sunset with tall buildings silhouetted against a colorful sky, reflected in calm water in the foreground.

Key takeaways

The trustee fee in Dubai is a fixed administrative charge paid to authorised trustee offices for processing property transfers.
The trustee fee is AED 2,000 + VAT for properties below AED 500,000 and AED 4,000 + VAT for properties valued at AED 500,000 or more.
The buyer usually pays the trustee fee, although this can be negotiated in certain transactions.
Trustee fees are separate from DLD registration fees and must be paid at the time of transfer.

Understanding the costs of buying property in Dubai goes beyond the headline price. Buyers must also account for government and administrative charges that apply at the point of transfer. One of the most common is the trustee fee in Dubai, a fixed cost that covers the administrative work carried out by authorised trustee offices during property registration.

In this guide, we explain what the trustee fee is, who pays it, how much it costs, and how it differs from other charges such as Dubai Land Department registration fees. Knowing these costs upfront helps buyers budget accurately and avoid delays during the transfer process.

Table of Content

What is a trustee fee in Dubai?
Why do trustee fees exist in Dubai’s property system?
Trustee fee structure for property transfers
Who pays the trustee's fee in Dubai?
Trustee fee vs DLD registration fee
Trustee fees for different property scenarios
When and where are trustee fees paid?
Conclusion

What is a trustee fee in Dubai?

A trustee fee in Dubai is a mandatory charge paid to an approved trustee office that manages property registration with the Dubai Land Department (DLD). Trustee offices handle tasks such as verifying documents, checking identities, and ensuring contracts comply with DLD requirements.

Without paying this fee, the property transfer cannot be completed, making it a standard, predictable part of buying a ready property or completing a resale transfer.

Why do trustee fees exist in Dubai’s property system?

Trustee fees exist to make property transfers more efficient. Instead of requiring buyers and sellers to visit the DLD headquarters, authorised trustee offices handle transactions across the city. This system ensures compliance, reduces processing time, and provides transparent, standardised administrative costs for property buyers.

Trustee fee structure for property transfers

The trustee fee structure in Dubai is fixed and set by the Dubai Land Department based on property value. It does not vary by location, developer, or trustee office.

AED 2,000 + VAT for properties valued below AED 500,000
AED 4,000 + VAT for properties valued at or above AED 500,000

These fees apply per transaction and are payable at the authorised trustee office handling the transfer. Additional administrative charges may apply for optional services, but the trustee fee itself is standardised and non-negotiable.

Who pays the trustee's fee in Dubai?

In most property transactions, the buyer pays the Dubai trustee fee. That said, payment responsibility can be negotiated between buyer and seller, particularly in high-value transactions or investor-led deals. Regardless of who pays, the fee must be settled in full before the transfer is registered.

Trustee fee vs DLD registration fee

Trustee fees and DLD registration fees are often confused, but they serve different purposes.

Trustee fee: Paid to an authorised trustee office for processing and registering the transaction.
DLD registration fee: Paid directly to the Dubai Land Department for recording the ownership transfer, typically 4% of the property value.

Both fees are mandatory for most resale property transactions. Understanding the difference helps buyers budget accurately and avoid delays. For a detailed breakdown of all government charges, see our guide to DLD fees.

Trustee fees for different property scenarios

The trustee office fee in Dubai applies across multiple transaction types, with variations depending on property value and transaction type.

If you’re wondering how much is the trustee fee in Dubai, the main scenarios are outlined below:

Transaction Type	Trustee Fee
Ready property resale below AED 500,000	AED 2,000 plus VAT
Ready property resale at or above AED 500,000	AED 4,000 plus VAT
Off-Plan Property (from developer)	No Trustee Fee

Trustee fees for off-plan resale transactions

Off-plan purchases made directly from a developer do not usually involve a trustee fee. These transactions are registered by the developer with the Dubai Land Department without the involvement of a trustee office.

By contrast, off-plan resales between private parties typically require registration through an authorised trustee office. In these cases, the standard trustee fee applies based on the property’s value at the time of transfer.

In practice, the key distinction is not whether a property is off-plan, but whether the transaction is a developer sale or a private resale, with private transfers requiring trustee registration.

When and where are trustee fees paid?

DLD trustee fees are paid on the day of transfer at an authorised trustee office. Payment is usually made by a manager’s cheque, debit card, or other DLD-approved methods.

Conclusion

The trustee fee Dubai buyers pay is a mandatory, fixed cost required for legal property registration during ownership transfers. While it represents a relatively small portion of overall transaction costs, it is essential to completing a valid transfer. For buyers navigating resale transactions, understanding trustee fees alongside DLD charges helps avoid surprises and reduce delays. Factoring these costs in early leads to more confident, informed property decisions in the UAE.