Dubai Off-Plan Buyer Guide

Buying off-plan means buying from a developer before the building is finished, paying in stages and receiving the home at handover. Check the developer and project registration, read the sale and purchase agreement, make sure payments go into the project escrow account and plan for the handover payment and fees.

Updated 27 October 2026 · 1 min read

An off-plan purchase is a contract with a developer for a home that does not exist yet. Your protection comes from three things: a registered developer and project, a sale and purchase agreement (SPA) you understand, and payments that go into the project’s escrow account.

How off-plan buying works

  1. Choose the project

    Compare location, layout, quality and the developer’s delivery record, not just the brochure.

  2. Check the developer and project

    Confirm both are registered with the Dubai Land Department and that the project has an escrow account. See how to check a developer.

  3. Reserve the unit

    A reservation form and booking payment hold the unit. Read the cancellation terms before you pay.

  4. Sign the SPA

    The SPA sets out the price, payment plan, expected completion date, specifications and what happens if anything goes wrong.

  5. Oqood registration

    The developer registers your purchase in the Land Department’s interim register, called Oqood. The 4% DLD fee is paid at this stage. See SPA, Oqood and escrow.

  6. Pay the instalments

    Pay each instalment on time into the escrow account named in your SPA. See payment plans.

  7. Snagging and handover

    Before handover, inspect the unit and report defects. Pay the final instalment and fees, then receive the keys and title deed. See delays, snagging and handover.

Costs to plan for

  • 4% DLD fee plus the developer’s registration charges, at Oqood
  • Instalments under the payment plan, including any post-handover payments
  • Service charges from handover onwards
  • DEWA deposits, furnishing and a snagging inspection

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Paying anywhere other than the escrow account in the SPA.
  • Not reading how the SPA handles delays and changes.
  • Forgetting the large handover payment, or assuming a bank will fund it.
  • Buying on launch excitement without comparing completed nearby projects.

This guide is general information, not legal, tax, financial or lending advice. Fees, rules and procedures change and depend on the property, the parties and the contract. Confirm current details with the relevant authority and qualified advisers before acting.

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Common questions

Is buying off-plan in Dubai safe?

Dubai has strong protections, including developer and project registration and mandatory escrow accounts, but risk remains. Check the developer, read the SPA and pay only into the project escrow account.

What is Oqood?

Oqood is the Dubai Land Department's interim register for off-plan sales. Registering your purchase there records your right to the unit before the title deed is issued.

When do I pay the DLD fee on off-plan property?

The 4% Dubai Land Department fee is usually paid when the purchase is registered in Oqood, early in the process.

Can I sell an off-plan property before completion?

Often yes, subject to the developer's conditions, which usually require a minimum percentage of the price to have been paid. See our guide on selling before completion.

Keep reading

Sources

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