DBR is the debt burden ratio. It is the share of monthly income that already goes to debt, including the new mortgage. On our new-purchase page the cap we publish is 50%.
Banks add the proposed mortgage payment to the other monthly commitments they can see: personal loans, car finance, credit cards and any existing home loan. That total, divided by monthly income, is the ratio. If it would sit above 50% of income, the file usually does not pass, even when the property value would allow a larger loan.
Loan-to-value and DBR are different caps. LTV limits the loan against the property. DBR limits the payment against income. A first-home resident can often reach 80% under AED 5 million, and still be cut back because the payment does not fit 50% of income. The bank uses the lower of the two.
What counts as income is the figure the bank will accept, not every transfer on a statement. Salaried files usually start from the salary certificate and payslips. Variable pay, allowances and income from abroad are confirmed per bank. We do not treat a one-off credit as monthly income.
Existing debt is why a liability letter and six months of statements matter. Loans and credit cards are part of the pack we ask for. How a card limit is counted is a bank rule, so we confirm it on the file rather than print one national formula.
Size the payment on the mortgage eligibility calculator, then read the bands on new home purchase mortgage. When the ratio still fits, open free mortgage pre-approval. Other paths sit on Dubai mortgage options. Advisory is free. A TruValue valuation, if you need one, is AED 599 (AED 299 with partner coupon).
FAQ
What is DBR?
Debt burden ratio: total monthly debt, including the new mortgage, as a share of income.
What cap does MOVA publish?
Total monthly debt, including the new mortgage, generally stays within 50% of income.
Is DBR the same as loan-to-value?
No. LTV caps the loan against the property. DBR caps the payment against income. The bank uses the lower result.
Do credit cards count?
They are part of existing liabilities. How the limit is counted depends on the bank. We confirm that on the file.
Can a higher salary fix a high DBR?
Only if the bank accepts that income. A one-off credit on a statement is not monthly income.
What this means for your mortgage
Our view: test the payment against 50% of accepted income before you negotiate the rate. Use the mortgage eligibility calculator and free mortgage pre-approval. See also Dubai mortgage options.
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