Dubai Developers Bring Back 4% DLD Fee Waivers

The 4% DLD waiver is back across Dubai’s new-launch market, as developers compete harder for buyers. Several launches in July and August have promoted full or partial waivers alongside other incentives. Many developers are also combining the incentive with cash discounts and flexible payment plans.At Binghatti Skyterraces in Motor City, for example, studios start from AED 600,000, with offers including a cash discount, 4% DLD waiver and a 40/60 payment plan.Developers are using the offer more often to reduce the upfront cost for buyers. Covering the registration fee lowers the amount needed at the start and helps new launches stand out in an off-plan market with a strong pipeline of projects.Key takeawaysA full 4% DLD fee waiver saves approximately AED 77,645 on the median apartment price and approximately AED 271,655 on the median villa price.Selected projects by Binghatti, DAMAC, Preston, Imtiaz, and Vision Developments feature DLD fee waiver promotions in 2026.Off-plan sales represented 76% of residential transactions in Q2 2026, up from 68% in Q1 2026.Transactions reached 26,338 deals, down 12%, yet the segment attracted the largest share of investment in Q2 2026.What does the DLD data show right now?Off-plan properties made up 76% of Dubai's real estate transactions in Q2 2026, up from 68% in Q1, according toDubai Land Departmentfigures published in' Q2 2026 market report. Residential transactions fell 31% year on year to 34,850, and total transaction value dropped 45% to AED 84.9 billion.The slowdown came mainly from the secondary market. Ready property transactions dropped 59% year on year to 8,512 deals. Off-plan activity held up much better, with 26,338 transactions. That figure marked a 12% decline from both Q2 2025 and Q1 2026.Transaction value in the ready property market fell 69% year on year. Off-plan transaction value declined 15%, so new developments attracted the largest share of investment during the quarter.Metric (DLD data, Q2 2026)FigureYear-on-year / TrendOff-plan share of residential transactions76%Up from 68% in Q1 2026Residential transactions34,850Down 31%Residential transaction valueAED 84.9 billionDown 45%Off-plan transactions26,338Down 12%Off-plan transaction valueAED 59 billionDown 15%Ready property transactions8,512Down 59%Ready property transaction valueLower share of investmentDown 69%Why have developers brought the offer back?The return of DLD waivers is linked to market conditions instead of distress. Off-plan properties still lead Dubai's residential market, representing 76% of all transactions during Q2 2026. Activity eased from the previous quarter, yet buyers still showed a strong preference for new launches.Competition has shifted as well. Developers no longer rely solely on the listed sale price to attract buyers. Incentives now play a much bigger role in new project launches.Common offers seen during 2026 are:4% DLD fee waiversReduced booking amountsExtended post-handover payment plansFurniture packages on selected launchesService charge support for a limited periodThe objective is simple. Lower the upfront cash requirement without reducing the published property price.How much does a 4% DLD fee waiver save?A buyer purchasing a median-priced apartment could save more than AED 77,645 through a full DLD fee waiver. The saving rises above AED 271,655 for a median-priced villa.Median off-plan property pricesFigureMedian apartment priceAED 1,941,130Median villa priceAED 6,791,3804% waiver value, median apartmentAED 77,6454% waiver value, median villaAED 271,655A full DLD waiver reduces the upfront cash needed without changing the property's advertised price. That approach has become more common asdevelopers in Dubaicompete for the same pool of buyers. A fixed government fee also gives buyers an immediate saving, unlike promotional discounts that can vary between projects.Studios for sale in Dubaicome with a lower waiver amount because the purchase price is lower, although the percentage remains the same for every qualifying property. Buyers who want tobuy a flat in Dubaishould ask for the waiver amount in writing instead of assuming it applies automatically.Which developers are offering DLD fee waivers?Several developers have reintroduced DLD fee waivers on selectedoff-plan projects in Dubai, although the offer varies by project and launch period.Binghatti Developers:A full 4% DLD waiver is available on selectedBinghatti Developers off-plan projects, such as Binghatti Skyflame, Binghatti Aquarise, Hillcrest, Hillside, andSkyterraces.DAMAC Properties:DAMAC Riverside Views, Lagoon Views (DAMAC Lagoons), and Skycrest Collection are a fewDAMAC Properties off-plan projects in Dubaithat come with a 4% DLDwaiver alongside flexible 60/40 payment plans.Preston Developers:Selected off-plan projects, such as One by Preston, feature a DLD fee waiver together with an Oqood fee waiver and extended payment plans.Imtiaz Developments and Vision Developments:Selected resident...