Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, completely free! All our calculators and resources are 100% free to use with:

• No registration or account creation required
• No hidden fees or premium tiers
• No credit card required
• Unlimited use of all features

We support the service through advertising and are committed to keeping it free forever.

No, we don't store any of your financial data. All calculations happen locally in your web browser using JavaScript. Your income, property prices, and other sensitive data never leave your device or get sent to our servers.

You can verify this by checking your browser's network activity while using the calculator - you'll see no data transmission during calculations.

Our calculations use industry-standard formulas and current regulations, but they are estimates only. Accuracy depends on:

• Your specific circumstances: Credit score, employment type, existing debts
• Lender policies: Each bank has unique criteria
• Property specifics: Location, condition, type
• Market conditions: Interest rates and regulations change

Always verify calculations with qualified professionals (mortgage brokers, solicitors, financial advisors) before making decisions.

No, we do not provide financial advice. Property Calculator is an educational calculator tool only. We don't:

• Provide mortgage advice or recommendations
• Offer investment advice
• Give legal or tax guidance
• Arrange mortgages or property transactions

Always consult with FCA-regulated (UK) or qualified (UAE) professionals before making property decisions.

Our calculator has three specialized tools:

• Affordability Calculator: Determines how much property you can afford based on your income and deposit. Shows maximum borrowing power and monthly payments.
• Fee Calculator: Breaks down all purchase costs including stamp duty/DLD fees, legal costs, mortgage fees, and other expenses. Shows total cash required.
• Off-Plan Analyzer (UAE only): Analyzes off-plan property investments including payment schedules, appreciation scenarios, and return calculations (ROE, IRR).

Enter your GROSS (before tax) monthly income.

• UK: The calculator automatically deducts income tax and National Insurance to calculate your net income for affordability checks
• UAE: Since there's no income tax, gross = net (but enter gross to be consistent)

Lenders always assess based on gross income, so that's what we need.

Your maximum affordable property is limited by TWO constraints:

• Income Cap: Your income doesn't support borrowing enough. Even with unlimited deposit, banks won't lend more. Solution: Increase income or add a co-borrower.
• Deposit Cap: Your deposit is too small to meet LTV requirements. You have borrowing power but insufficient down payment. Solution: Save more deposit.

The calculator shows which constraint is currently limiting you.

First-Time Buyer (UK only):

• You've never owned property anywhere in the world
• Qualifies for SDLT relief (no tax up to £425,000)
• Both buyers must be first-timers if purchasing jointly

Non-Resident:

• UK: Not a UK tax resident; pays +2% SDLT surcharge; typically 75% max LTV
• UAE: Don't have UAE residency visa; faces stricter lending (50% max LTV, fewer banks)

SDLT is calculated progressively in bands (like income tax), NOT as a flat percentage:

• 0% on first £125,000 (or £425,000 for first-time buyers)
• 2% on £125,001-£250,000
• 5% on £250,001-£925,000
• 10% on £925,001-£1,500,000
• 12% on £1,500,000+

Additional surcharges apply: +3% for second homes, +2% for non-residents.

See our UK Guide for detailed examples and calculations.

Yes, but with conditions:

• Available for UK residents buying primary residence
• Through government-backed schemes (Mortgage Guarantee Scheme)
• Limited lenders offer 95% LTV
• Higher interest rates than lower LTV mortgages
• Stricter affordability checks
• May require mortgage insurance premium

Our calculator defaults to 95% for UK residents, but check with mortgage brokers for current availability.

No. To qualify for first-time buyer SDLT relief, you must have:

• Never owned a residential property anywhere in the world
• Never owned property as part of inheritance or trust

If you previously owned property abroad (even if sold), you don't qualify for FTB relief and will pay standard SDLT rates.

Conveyancing fees typically include:

• Legal fees: Solicitor's professional charges (£800-£2,500)
• Searches: Local authority, drainage, environmental (£250-£400)
• Land Registry fees: Official property registration (£20-£910)
• Bank transfer fees: CHAPS payments (£30-£50 per transfer)
• Stamp Duty payment: Handling SDLT submission to HMRC

Always get detailed quotes from multiple solicitors to compare.

UAE uses a stricter 50% Debt Burden Ratio rule vs UK's 4.5x income multiple:

• UAE: Monthly debts can't exceed 50% of gross income (direct cap on payments)
• UK: Borrowing capped at 4.5x annual salary (indirect payment limit)

Example comparison:

• Salary: £5,000/month (UK) = AED 22,500 (UAE equivalent)
• UK: 4.5x annual = £270,000 borrowing
• UAE: 50% DBR with same income = ~AED 900,000 (~£200,000) borrowing

UAE's stricter approach protects both lenders and borrowers from overleveraging.

Main risks to consider:

• Completion delays: Handover often delayed 6-18 months (especially with smaller developers)
• Market volatility: Property value may decrease during construction
• Specification changes: Minor finishes/layout modifications possible
• Developer financial issues: Rare but possible (stick to reputable developers)
• Mortgage rate changes: If financing handover, rates may be higher when you apply

Protections you have:

• RERA-regulated escrow accounts (developer can't access funds until milestones)
• Oqood interim title deed (proves your ownership interest)
• DLD oversight and dispute resolution

Always research developer track record and financial stability before committing.

Yes, but with stricter requirements:

• Maximum LTV: 50% (50% deposit required)
• Fewer banks serve non-residents (typically 3-5 major banks)
• Higher interest rates (often 0.5-1% premium)
• Higher minimum income requirements (typically AED 20,000+ monthly)
• More documentation required (international credit checks, etc.)
• Longer processing time (4-6 weeks vs 2-3 weeks for residents)

Many non-residents opt for cash purchases or secure larger deposits to access financing.

Yes, property can qualify for UAE residency visas:

• AED 750,000+: Qualifies for 3-year renewable investor visa
• AED 2,000,000+: Qualifies for 5-year Golden Visa (renewable)
• AED 5,000,000+: Qualifies for 10-year Golden Visa

Benefits:

• Includes spouse and children (any age)
• No requirement for UAE employment or sponsor
• Can live and work in UAE freely
• Access to healthcare and education

Note: Mortgaged properties may qualify (check current regulations). Off-plan properties typically qualify after handover and title deed issuance.

No annual property taxes! Major tax benefits in UAE:

• No annual property tax (unlike UK council tax)
• No capital gains tax when you sell
• No income tax on rental income
• No inheritance tax

One-time costs only:

• 4% DLD transfer fee when purchasing (one-time)
• Annual service charges (paid to developer/community, typically AED 5-25 per sqft)
• DEWA utilities and chiller costs

This tax-free environment is a major draw for international investors.

The calculator shows "unaffordable" when you breach hard limits:

• Insufficient deposit: Your deposit doesn't meet minimum LTV requirements
• Exceeds borrowing limit: Required loan exceeds what banks will lend based on your income

Solutions:

• Increase your deposit amount
• Reduce target property price
• Increase income or add a co-borrower
• Check if you've selected correct buyer profile (FTB, Resident vs Non-Resident)

This is normal. Actual mortgage offers differ because:

• Lender-specific criteria: Each bank has unique affordability formulas
• Credit score impact: We don't account for credit history
• Employment type: Self-employed face stricter criteria
• Existing debts: Car loans, credit cards reduce borrowing capacity
• Property specifics: Some properties are difficult to mortgage
• Income types: Bonus, commission, overtime treated differently

Our calculator provides general estimates. Always trust your broker's official mortgage offer.

Be cautious. The calculator shows potential returns based on your appreciation assumptions, but:

• Market uncertainty: Property values can decrease or stagnate
• Historical ≠ Future: Past market performance doesn't guarantee future gains
• Location matters: Prime areas appreciate more than emerging areas
• Developer reputation: Reputable developers command higher resale values
• Market cycles: Dubai property is cyclical (booms and corrections)

Realistic scenarios:

• Conservative: 0-10% appreciation over 3-4 years
• Moderate: 15-25% in growing market
• Optimistic: 30-40% in strong bull market
• Risky: Negative returns possible in downturns

Always conduct thorough market research and consider worst-case scenarios.