Maldives real estate, reported from the ground: developments, developers, prices, rules, and the homes behind them.
audience
Everything the desk has published under “buyers”.
Rules & rates
The Sixth Amendment to the Maldives Pension Act, in force since 21 May 2026, lets members pledge their pension savings for loans to build a house or renovate one, not only to buy. It also opens the scheme wider to the self-employed and tightens Basic Pension. What changed, what it means for buyers, and what is still waiting on regulations.
Rules & rates
HDFC's Islamic window, Amna, finances flats through a diminishing partnership at 10% to 11%, about the same as its conventional loan. The differences are in the details: takaful, a lock-in fee with a rebate, a property worth at least 125% of the financing, and late charges paid to charity.
Rules & rates
HDFC finances flats only in projects it has approved. Its list has 15, from Bayfancy and Kandoofaa Residence to The Rise, the Rainbow projects, Centreal and SJ Creek. The full list, and how a developer gets on it.
Rules & rates
Borrowing MVR 2.4 million from HDFC costs MVR 500 to apply, 1% to process (capped at MVR 50,000), a deposit of three months' payments held for the whole term, insurance and court registration. The full list from HDFC's January 2026 schedule.
Rules & rates
Housing Development Finance Corporation, the Maldives' only specialised housing lender, finances flats in approved projects at 10.42% to 12.25% over up to 25 years, with 20% of your own money. What it offers, who qualifies and how to apply.
Rules & rates
HDFC is 49% government-owned, with IFC and ADB holding 18% each and India's HDFC Bank 15%. Its 2025 annual report says work is under way on an orderly exit of the foreign shareholders. What HDFC is, how it funds its lending, and what a change of owners could mean.
Rules & rates
Settling an HDFC home loan early costs 2% of the balance; moving it to another lender costs 5%. On HDFC Amna's Islamic financing the lock-in fee is up to MVR 500,000, with a rebate. What each means, and what to ask.
Rules & rates
HDFC accepts Retirement Savings Account balances pledged as the 20% equity on a flat, and lowers the rate to 10.42% when you do. How the Pension Office and HDFC split the work, and what to check.
Rules & rates
HDFC reports the progress of every development it finances to the capital market regulator. The June 2026 report: Bayfancy 93%, Kandoofa Residence 86%, The Rise 74%, Centreal 61%, Rain Pearl 45%, Rain Palm 37%, Kandoofa Ecoplex 13%. Several completion dates have moved by more than a year.
Rules & rates
HDFC prices home purchase financing by how you pay: pledge your pension and the rate is 10.42%, rely on salary or business income and it is 11%, count rental income and it is 12.25%. On MVR 2.4 million over 25 years, the gap is about MVR 3,200 a month.
Rules & rates
HDFC's Youth Home Purchase lends up to MVR 1 million at 10.50% over 30 years. SOE Hiyaa offers state-company staff 10% for SOE Hiyaa flats. A salary deduction scheme charges 11% for staff of approved employers. Who each suits, with monthly payments.
Rules & rates
In 2025 Maldives Islamic Bank cut the equity on home financing from 20% to 10%, extended the term from 20 to 25 years and halved the work history it asks for. What changed, what it means for a buyer, and what has not changed.
Rules & rates
MIB finances flats under construction only in projects it has approved. Six are on its list today: Renaatus Javaahiru, RainPalm and RainPearl Residence, Centreal, The Creek View and SJ Creek Residences. How the list has changed since 2023, and what it means for buyers.
Rules & rates
With MIB's Ujaalaa Hiyaa, you and the bank buy the home together. Each month you pay rent on the bank's share and buy a little more of it, until the home is yours. How the partnership works, what you pay, and why the home is mortgaged.
Rules & rates
On MIB's Ujaalaa Hiyaa, the profit rate is only part of the cost: a 1.5% processing fee (at least MVR 5,000), MVR 2,500 for the offer letter, valuations at cost, 1% to amend the facility, 0.5% on part payments, and takaful for the whole term paid before the money is released.
Rules & rates
MIB charges 0.5% on part payments of Ujaalaa Hiyaa, with a minimum of MVR 1,000 or one month's payment. It does not publish a fee for settling in full. How to make a part or full settlement, and what to ask first.
Rules & rates
With MIB, a buyer of an off-plan flat pays only part of the monthly payment during construction, in proportion to what the bank has paid the developer so far. Completed homes get up to three months' grace. How it works and what to ask.
Rules & rates
MIB accepts pension savings pledged as the 10% equity on a home. The Pension Office lets members under 36 pledge all of their balance, 36 to 49 four-fifths, 50 to 60 half. The money stays invested. How it works and who qualifies.
