Ajman's buying costs are lower than Dubai's for most buyers, but they still add a meaningful amount to the price. This guide lists every fee, using the official Ajman Government service catalogue for government charges, so you can budget accurately before making an offer.
Ajman buying costs at a glance
| Cost | Amount | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Sale registration fee (non-GCC nationals) | 3% of the price, minimum AED 3,000 | Buyer |
| Sale registration fee (UAE & GCC nationals) | 2% of the price, minimum AED 2,500 | Buyer |
| Title deed certificate | AED 350 | Buyer |
| Mortgage registration (if financing) | 0.5% of the loan, minimum AED 1,000, plus AED 350 | Buyer |
| Agency commission | Usually around 2% + 5% VAT (negotiable) | Usually buyer |
| Developer NOC (resale) | Roughly AED 500–5,000, depending on the developer | Usually seller |
| Off-site signature visit (optional) | AED 300 in Ajman, up to AED 3,000 elsewhere | Whoever requests it |
Government fees from the Ajman Government service catalogue (October 2026). Commission and NOC amounts are typical market figures and vary.
The sale registration fee
The biggest cost is the sale registration fee paid to the Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation (AjmanRe) when the property is transferred. According to the service catalogue, the buyer bears the ownership fees:
- Non-GCC nationals: 3% of the value, with a minimum of AED 3,000.
- UAE and GCC nationals: 2% of the value, with a minimum of AED 2,500.
The title deed or ownership certificate costs a further AED 350. If the parties can't attend the office, AjmanRe can send an employee to authenticate signatures for AED 300 in Ajman, AED 500 in Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain, AED 1,000 in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah, AED 2,000 in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain and AED 3,000 in the Western Region.
Two less common charges are worth knowing. A sale signed under a power of attorney to someone other than a close relative or legal representative is charged an extra 2% of the value, so overseas buyers should check how their POA is drafted. And non-citizens buying land pay a separate ownership fee based on the plot's area and use, with a minimum of AED 10,000; AjmanRe has a calculator for it. See our land for sale in Ajman page for more.
Mortgage costs
If you buy with a mortgage, AjmanRe registers the bank's charge on the property. The service catalogue lists the mortgage registration fee at 0.5% of the mortgage value, minimum AED 1,000, plus AED 350 for the certificate. Releasing the mortgage when you pay it off costs AED 500.
Banks add their own costs, which vary by lender: an arrangement fee of up to about 1% of the loan, a property valuation (often around AED 2,500–3,500) and life and property insurance. Our Ajman mortgage guide explains loan-to-value limits for residents and non-residents.
Agency commission and other fees
Most resale purchases go through a broker. The usual commission is around 2% of the price plus 5% VAT, normally paid by the buyer, but it is negotiable and should be agreed in writing. Our guide to real estate commission in Ajman compares rates with Dubai and Sharjah and includes a calculator.
For a resale in a developer-managed building, the developer issues a no-objection certificate (NOC) confirming that service charges are paid. Fees typically range from about AED 500 to AED 5,000. The seller usually pays it, but confirm this in the sale agreement, along with who pays any outstanding service charges.
Off-plan purchase fees
When you buy off-plan, the developer records the sale with AjmanRe before construction is finished. The service catalogue lists:
- Tentative registration while payments are still being made: AED 200, plus AED 350 for the tentative registration certificate.
- Final registration once the unit is fully paid: AED 1,700, plus AED 350 for the ownership certificate and a unit plan fee of AED 10 per square metre of the unit's area.
Developers handle this registration, and many charge buyers a registration or admin fee at booking, while others advertise that they cover it as a sales incentive. Ask for the full fee sheet in writing before you pay the booking amount. There's usually no agency commission when you buy directly from the developer. Read our off-plan buying guide for escrow and contract checks.
Worked examples
| Cost | Cash buyer | Mortgage buyer (75% loan) |
|---|---|---|
| Registration fee (3%) | 15,000 | 15,000 |
| Title deed | 350 | 350 |
| Agency commission (2% + VAT) | 10,500 | 10,500 |
| Mortgage registration (0.5% of AED 375,000 + 350) | — | 2,225 |
| Bank arrangement fee (up to 1%) and valuation | — | about 6,500 |
| Total on top of the price | 25,850 (5.2%) | about 34,575 (6.9%) |
A UAE or GCC national would pay AED 10,000 in registration fees instead of AED 15,000 in the same example. The mortgage buyer also needs the 25% deposit (AED 125,000) in cash, so the total cash needed is about AED 160,000. Try different prices in our buying cost calculator.
Ongoing costs after you buy
- Service charge: an annual fee for building maintenance, security and amenities, often about AED 5–7 per sq ft a year in Ajman towers. Ask for the last statement before buying.
- Maintenance: repairs inside your unit, plus appliances and air conditioning servicing.
- Utilities: paid by the occupant to EtihadWE, plus chiller charges in some buildings.
- No property tax: the UAE has no annual property tax, and individuals pay no income tax on rent.
If you plan to rent the property out, factor these costs into your return with our ROI calculator.
Ajman vs Dubai buying costs
Dubai charges a 4% Dubai Land Department transfer fee to buyers of every nationality, plus administration fees. In Ajman, non-GCC buyers pay 3% and UAE and GCC nationals 2%. On an AED 500,000 property, a non-GCC buyer saves AED 5,000 in registration fees in Ajman, and a UAE national saves AED 10,000. Combined with lower prices, that makes Ajman one of the cheapest emirates to buy in. Our Ajman vs Dubai vs Sharjah comparison looks at prices, yields and lifestyle.
For the full buying process, read our complete guide to buying property in Ajman and the title deed guide.