Buying or renting a home in Dubai has always been exciting…
until you reach the part where someone casually says, “And the commission will be 2%.”
That’s usually the moment when your calculator opens faster than your property app.
For years, most people simply accepted these fees as part of the “Dubai real estate experience.” But the city is changing, and so is the mindset of buyers, renters, and even landlords. Today, more residents are asking a simple question:
“Why am I paying thousands in commission just to connect with the person who owns the home?”
This shift in awareness is exactly why commission-free real estate platforms are growing — fast. And if current trends continue, they won’t just be an alternative…
they’ll become the norm.
Let’s break down why.
The old system has cracks and people finally see them
Traditionally, most real estate journeys in Dubai followed a commission-driven structure, especially across the Dubai real estate market, where buyers and renters had little choice but to accept agency fees as standard practice. As awareness grows and digital platforms reshape how people search for homes, residents are beginning to question whether these costs still make sense in a more transparent, technology-led environment.
Traditionally, most real estate journeys in Dubai went like this:
1. See a listing
2. Call the broker
3. Visit the property
4. Pay commission
5. Sign the deal
6. Wonder why you didn’t just talk to the owner directly
The problem isn’t that agents exist — many do incredible work.
The problem is mandatory commission, even when the agent barely exchanges more than a few WhatsApp messages and a door unlock.
Modern consumers simply don’t accept unnecessary fees anymore — whether they’re booking hotels, ordering food, or hiring a taxi. So why should real estate be stuck in 2009?
Enter commission-free platforms.
They remove the “middle cost” without removing the value.
Dubai residents love transparency and they’re demanding it
If there’s one thing residents in Dubai agree on, it’s this:
Buying or renting shouldn’t feel like solving a puzzle.
People want:
• Clear prices
• Honest descriptions
• Verified listings
• Real photos
• Direct communication
• Zero surprises during the financial stage
Commission-free platforms tend to be built on transparency because well without commission, they’re not trying to upsell anything. Their goal is simply to connect real people with real properties.
It’s a cleaner, calmer, trust-based system.
Technology has made direct connections effortless
Ten years ago, connecting buyers and landlords directly might have been chaotic.
Today?
We’re living in the age of AI, instant verification, and automated processes.
Modern platforms now offer:
• Smart listing tools
• Document verification
• AI description generation
• Secure chat systems
• Digital appointment scheduling
• Real-time price insights
• Fraud prevention features
One example of how this model is taking shape is Gllit, a platform built around direct owner-to-buyer or owner-to-tenant connections without added commission fees.
Commission savings actually change people’s decisions
Let’s talk numbers — because nothing wakes up a Dubai resident like a cost breakdown.
Example:
A tenant renting a 90,000 AED apartment traditionally pays around 4,500 AED in agency fees.
A buyer purchasing a 1.5M AED apartment pays around 30,000 AED in commission.
That’s not pocket change.
That’s:
• A vacation
• A new sofa set
• School fees
• Six months of groceries
• Or, if you’re in Dubai, two brunches for four.
The point is, eliminating commission changes behavior.
People widen their property search, explore better neighborhoods, or even upgrade to bigger units — simply because they’re no longer wasting money on unnecessary middle fees.
Direct communication builds trust faster than any sales pitch
The moment buyers talk directly to an owner, something interesting happens:
The tone shifts from “sales mode” to “human mode.”
Owners talk about:
• Why they bought it
• How well the building is maintained
• What they love about the neighborhood
• Why they’re selling or renting
These real, personal details help buyers and renters make decisions with far more confidence.
Commission-free platforms make this direct conversation the default, not the exception.
Dubai’s future is digital — and real estate will follow
Dubai doesn’t do things halfway.
When the city moves toward innovation, it sprints.
We’re seeing:
• Digital property transfers
• Ejari automation
• Virtual viewings
• Blockchain experiments
• AI-powered valuations
• Smart government portals
It’s only logical that buying and renting will shift toward commission-free, tech-enabled platforms as well.
Because in a digital-first city, why would anyone pay old-school fees?
Final Thoughts: Commission-free is not a trend — it’s a turning point
Dubai’s real estate market is more dynamic than ever.
As transparency becomes the expectation and technology becomes the norm, platforms that eliminate commission fees will continue rising.
For buyers and renters, it’s a win.
For landlords, it means direct access to serious leads.
For the market, it means cleaner, more efficient transactions.
And for platforms like ,Gllit it’s an opportunity to redefine what real estate experiences should look like — simple, secure, and commission-free.
NOTE : AUTHOR NAME – ARIJIT SEN
