Mortgage broker vs mortgage advisor: what's the difference?
Last updated: · By Aknaz Mortgages, RERA ORN 48584
In the UAE, mortgage broker is the licensed category, and Aknaz holds Dubai Land Department registration number 48584. Mortgage advisor describes how the service is delivered, by a person who explains your options and works for you. Aknaz is both, and its advisors work fully for the client.
Key numbers
| Rule | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum debt-burden ratio (all monthly repayments ÷ gross monthly income) | 50% |
| Maximum loan-to-value, expat first home below AED 5,000,000 | 80% |
| Monthly salary most banks look for | AED 15,000 |
| Maximum mortgage term | 25 years |
Sources: CBUAE Mortgage Loans Regulation; UAE bank practice (varies by bank). Figures checked on .
What is a mortgage broker in the UAE?
A mortgage broker arranges home finance between a buyer and the banks. In Dubai, mortgage brokerage is a real estate activity licensed by the Dubai Land Department, so a licensed broker has a registration number you can check. The banks still make the lending decision, under the Central Bank’s rules such as the 50% debt-burden ratio.
What does “mortgage advisor” mean?
Mortgage advisor describes the person and the service: someone who explains your options, compares the banks with you and stays with your file to the transfer. In Dubai the title is also used by estate agencies and banks for their own mortgage staff, so ask who the advisor works for.
Why Aknaz is both
Aknaz Mortgages (Aknaz Mortgage Broker Co. L.L.C.) is licensed for mortgage brokerage by the Dubai Land Department, RERA ORN 48584, and by the Department of Economy and Tourism, licence 1467272. Our advisors work for the client, not for any one bank.
- 50+ banks compared for your profile, including exclusive bank offers.
- The right bank first: your profile is checked against each bank’s current policy before you apply.
- Same-day submission once your file is complete; a salaried buyer’s bank pre-approval comes back in 5 minutes.
- One team to the keys: valuation, final offer and the transfer at the Dubai Land Department.
How to choose a broker
- Check the Dubai Land Department registration number and the trade licence.
- Ask how many banks they compare for your profile.
- Ask for any fee to be confirmed in writing before you go ahead.
- Ask who handles your file from application to transfer.
Talk to an advisor
Your first consultation is free. Get my pre-approval or ask for a call back.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check that a mortgage broker in Dubai is licensed?
Ask for the company's Dubai Land Department registration number and its trade licence, and check them before you share any documents. Aknaz Mortgages holds RERA ORN 48584 and DET trade licence 1467272, and both numbers are in the footer of every page of this site.
Does a mortgage broker work for me or for the bank?
A broker arranges your mortgage with the banks, but who it works for depends on the firm. Aknaz works fully for the client: we compare 50+ UAE banks for your profile and recommend the offer that suits you, and any fee is confirmed in writing before you go ahead.
Can a mortgage broker get me a better offer than my own bank?
It can, because a broker sees the offers of many banks at once and knows which bank's policy fits your profile, including exclusive offers your bank may not show you. Through Aknaz, your application goes to the bank the same day your file is complete.
Sources
Talk it through with an advisor
A licensed mortgage advisor at Aknaz Mortgages.