For many Dubai residents, owning their own home used to be a goal that is further down their plans. But that is changing now.
With the rising rents and long-term residential, investment or business plans, more younger residents who work and live in Dubai prefer to buy a house rather than renting it. But the reason to rent was the property prices in the first place, how do residents switch their focus to buy if the rents rise?
Dubai's recently rolled out ‘First-time home buyer’ programme was rolled out by the Dubai Land Department and Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism in July 2025. It is specifically designed for Dubai residents above 18 who don't own a property and are looking for one under AED 5 million.
Moving from renting to buying.
With rent being a major expense for a lot of residents in Dubai, the general question looming around is if owning better than renting. With a big amount of the income being dedicated for rent every month, it might as well go towards a mortgage payment that would contribute to owning a property.
The decision is not as simple as it sounds. Buyers also need to consider the down payment, interest, registration costs, service charges, maintenance and how long they expect to live in the property.
Where the DLD buyer programme fits
This programme is designed for UAE residents aged 18 or above who do not currently own a freehold residential property in Dubai and are looking for a property below AED 5 million.
The programme does not offer free properties or discounts. Instead, it gives eligible buyers access to specific benefits through participating developers and banks. It includes priority access for certain launches, preferential prices on certain units, flexible payment options and special mortgage offers from selected banks.
This applies for both Off-plan and ready properties with selected developers and mortgage partners. So with this support, residents who had no recent plans of owning their own property are not eligible to do so now.
This introduces a new type of property buyer to Dubai
The growing first-time buyer segment adds another layer to Dubai’s residential market. These buyers may not be looking for a second home or a short-term investment. They may simply want a home to fit their current lifestyle and future plans.
That makes the decision more personal. Location, commute, property size, financing, service charges, payment plans and future flexibility can all matter. The programme can make the first step easier, but choosing the right property still requires looking beyond the headline benefits.
For residents moving from renting to owning, understanding the full cost of buying and matching it with their long-term plans can be just as important as finding the property itself.
Anarock Middle East works with buyers across different stages of the Dubai property journey, helping them assess available options, financing and the wider transaction process before making a decision.
Source: Khaleej Times