Introduction
Property owners often wish to transfer real estate to children, parents, or spouses without a commercial purchase price. In Dubai, this is accomplished via a Gift Transfer, known locally as 'Hiba'.
Substantial Fee Savings
Standard property sales incur a 4% DLD transfer fee. In contrast, a legitimate family gift transfer incurs only a 0.125% transfer fee (subject to a minimum fee of AED 2,000) plus trustee processing charges.
Who Qualifies for a Gift Transfer?
The DLD restricts gift transfers strictly to first-degree relatives:
- Parents to children (or vice versa).
- Husband to wife (or vice versa).
Transfers between siblings or third-degree relatives do not qualify for the 0.125% rate.
Required Documentation
- Original Title Deed.
- Attested proof of relationship (marriage certificate or birth certificate attested by MOFA).
- Official DLD valuation certificate.