Off-Plan Delays, Snagging and Handover

Watch construction progress, know what your SPA says about delays, and inspect the finished unit carefully before accepting it. At handover you pay the final instalment and fees, register the title deed and set up utilities, while defects remain the developer’s responsibility for the warranty period.

Updated 27 October 2026 · 1 min read

Three moments matter near completion: delays (what your SPA allows and what you can do), snagging (finding defects before you accept the unit) and handover (final payment, title deed and keys).

If the project is delayed

  • Check the SPA’s completion date and grace period before assuming a breach.
  • Follow official progress records and the developer’s updates.
  • Keep every notice and payment record in writing.
  • For serious delays, take legal advice: remedies depend on the contract and applicable law.

Snagging

When the developer invites you to inspect, book a professional snagging company. They check finishes, plumbing, electrics, air conditioning, windows and doors and give you a report. Submit it to the developer and ask for a timeline to fix each item.

Handover steps

  1. Completion notice

    The developer confirms the building is complete and requests the final payments.

  2. Final payments

    Pay the handover instalment, service charges in advance and any admin fees.

  3. Title deed

    The Oqood registration converts to a title deed in your name.

  4. Utilities and move-in

    Set up DEWA and cooling accounts and collect keys and access cards.

  5. Defects after handover

    Developers usually give a defects warranty, commonly one year for many items, with longer liability for structural defects under UAE law. Report problems in writing.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Accepting the keys without a snagging inspection.
  • Reporting defects verbally instead of in writing.
  • Not budgeting for the handover payment and advance service charges.

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

What is snagging?

An inspection of a newly built property to find defects before or at handover, so the developer can fix them.

What can I do if my off-plan project is delayed?

Check the completion date and grace period in your SPA, keep records and seek legal advice for serious delays. Remedies depend on your contract.

Who fixes defects after handover?

The developer, within the warranty period in your SPA. Structural defects carry longer liability under UAE law.

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