Off-Plan Property Buying Guide

Guide to buying off-plan property in Dubai: payment plans, Oqood, escrow and handover.

Your guide to buying off-plan property in Dubai

What is off-plan?

Off-plan property is bought from a developer before construction is complete, usually with a payment plan spread over the build period and sometimes beyond handover.

Key protections

Developers must be registered with the Dubai Land Department and the project approved before selling.
Buyer payments are held in a project escrow account and released to the developer as construction progresses.
Off-plan purchases are registered with the Dubai Land Department through the Oqood system.

The process

Choose a project and reserve a unit, usually with a booking deposit
Sign the sales and purchase agreement (SPA)
Pay the DLD registration fee and register the unit on Oqood
Pay instalments according to the payment plan
Snagging inspection and handover on completion, followed by the title deed

Questions to ask

What is the developer’s delivery track record?
What happens if the project is delayed?
What are the expected service charges?
Can I resell before completion, and on what terms?

This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Fees and regulations change, so please confirm current requirements with our team or the Dubai Land Department before you commit.

Explore off-plan

Snagging services

How buyers are protected

Dubai has strong safeguards for off-plan buyers. Projects must be registered with RERA, payments for registered projects go into escrow accounts that release funds to the developer as construction progresses, and each sale is registered with the DLD through Oqood.

Questions to ask before you buy

Is the project registered with RERA, and is the escrow account confirmed?
What is the developer’s track record on delivery and quality?
What is the full payment plan, including any post-handover instalments?
What are the expected service charges once completed?
Can the unit be resold before handover, and on what terms?

At handover

Before you accept the keys, arrange a snagging inspection so the developer fixes defects. The title deed is issued once the final payment is made and the property is registered.