How to Check a Dubai Developer and Off-Plan Project

Before reserving, confirm the developer and the project are registered with the Dubai Land Department, the project has an escrow account, and the unit and payment plan match the official record. Then look at the developer’s delivery history and the quality of its finished buildings.

Updated 27 October 2026 · 1 min read

Do three official checks and two practical ones. Official: the developer is registered, the project is registered with an escrow account, and the advert carries a valid permit. Practical: visit the developer’s completed buildings and compare their promised and actual handover dates.

Official checks

  1. Developer registration

    Look the developer up through Dubai Land Department services such as the Dubai REST app. A registered developer appears with its licence details.

  2. Project registration and escrow

    Every off-plan project sold to the public must be registered and have an escrow account at an approved bank. Note the project name and escrow details so you can compare them with your SPA.

  3. Advert permit

    Property adverts in Dubai need a permit number. A missing or invalid permit is a warning sign.

  4. Construction progress

    Official project records show the stated completion percentage and expected completion date. Compare them with what the sales team says.

Practical checks

  • Delivery record: how many projects has the developer handed over, and how late, if at all?
  • Build quality: visit a finished building. Look at common areas, finishes and maintenance.
  • Owner feedback: speak to owners or agents who know the developer’s buildings.
  • Service charges: what do owners pay in the developer’s completed buildings?

Red flags

  • Payment requested to an account that is not the project escrow account.
  • A project you cannot find in official records.
  • Guaranteed returns that are not written into the contract.
  • Pressure to reserve the same day before you have read the SPA.

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

How do I know if a Dubai developer is registered?

Check through official Dubai Land Department services such as the Dubai REST app, which list registered developers and projects.

What is a project escrow account?

A dedicated bank account for an off-plan project. Buyers' payments go into it and are released to the developer as construction progresses.

Should I trust guaranteed rental returns?

Only if they are written into the contract, and even then check who guarantees them and for how long.

Keep reading

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