General information only: rules, fees, tax treatment, and processes can change. Confirm current requirements with the applicable regulator or a qualified legal, tax, financial, immigration, or compliance adviser.
Key Takeaways
- Commission is governed by the broker agreement and transaction terms; avoid treating a market convention as a guaranteed rate.
- Confirm the payer, amount or formula, trigger, due date, VAT treatment, and refund or cancellation terms.
- Ask whether the broker represents one side or has obligations to more than one party.
- Use current RERA or DLD guidance and tax advice for the specific transaction.
Get a written total, not an assumption
Commission is a commercial term. Ask the broker to identify the amount, VAT treatment, payer and service, then check current DLD charges through the official service channel.
This article is general information, not legal, tax, financial, immigration, or compliance advice. Confirm current requirements with the relevant official authority and qualified advisers.
The short answer: put the commercial terms in writing
Before a Dubai broker markets or negotiates a property, ask for written commission terms. The agreement should identify the client, service, amount or formula, payment trigger, due date, tax treatment, and what happens if the sale does not complete or the relationship ends.
Questions for buyers and sellers
Do not rely on the phrase 'standard commission' without a written number and scope. Ask whether commission is payable by the buyer, seller, or both; whether a developer or another broker contributes; and whether the amount changes for a lease, resale, off-plan deal, or referral.
- Who is the client and who owes the commission?
- Is the amount inclusive of VAT?
- When is it earned and payable?
- What happens on cancellation, default, or a later direct deal?
Fees are not the same as government charges
Broker commission, DLD registration charges, trustee fees, developer charges, mortgage costs, and taxes are separate questions. Ask for an itemised estimate and use a qualified adviser for legal, tax, or finance advice. This guide does not publish a fee table because rates and terms can change.