OPAVITA
Owner guide · 2026

Selling a property with a tenant in place

A sitting tenant does not block a sale, but it changes who will buy and at what price. Understanding the notice rules before you list prevents a broken deal at transfer stage.

Realistic time to sell
6 weeks to 4 months. Investor buyers move quickly; end-user buyers usually walk away.

What selling actually costs

Seller cost breakdown for tenanted property sales in the UAE, 2026
Agency commission2% + VAT of the sale price (negotiable on large tickets)
DLD transfer fee4% — customarily paid by the buyer, but negotiable
NOC from the developerAED 500–5,000 depending on the developer
Mortgage settlementEarly-settlement fee capped at 1% of the outstanding balance or AED 10,000
Trustee office feeAED 2,000–4,200 plus VAT

Fees are the standard market position; several are negotiable between buyer and seller and should be written into the sale agreement.

Pre-listing checklist

  • Locate the Ejari contract, the cheques schedule and the security deposit record
  • Confirm the lease end date and whether any notice has already been served
  • Market the yield, not the layout — your buyer is an investor
  • Agree in writing how post-dated cheques and the deposit transfer at completion

Red flags

  • Any promise to deliver the unit vacant faster than the legal notice period allows
  • Missing or unregistered Ejari — it undermines the buyer's position and yours
  • Undocumented side agreements with the tenant on rent or renewal

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Seller questions

Can a new owner evict a tenant in Dubai?

Only by serving 12 months' notice through a notary or registered mail on the grounds of owner use or sale, and after the current lease term. Buying a property does not shorten an existing lease.

Does a tenant reduce the sale price?

Usually by a few percent, because you lose end-user buyers. If the rent is above current market, the yield story can offset most of that discount with investor buyers.

Other seller situations