Off Plan
Off-Plan Investment
Buying before completion can offer staged payments and new specifications. Dubai law requires payments to go into a project escrow account.
Official sources & verification
Dubai property ownership framework and Law No. 8 of 2007 concerning development escrow accounts.
Last verified:
Project registration and escrow requirements. Confirm the transaction-specific Oqood fee schedule; no universal off-plan total is verified here.
Last verified:
Escrow activation and disbursement conditions; construction progress is not the only condition.
Last verified:
Dates apply only to the claims described above, not every sentence in this guide. Fees can change; consult the linked authority before committing. Commercial terms and timelines are not government guarantees.
Escrow (Law 8 of 2007)
Buyer protection
Oqood
Register
Confirm schedule
Registration costs
Staged plans
Payment
The process
Step by step.
- 01
Compare projects
Developer track record, location, specification, payment plan and expected handover.
- 02
Check registration
Confirm the project is registered with RERA and has a dedicated escrow account.
- 03
Reserve & sign SPA
Pay the booking amount and sign the Sale & Purchase Agreement.
- 04
Oqood registration
The purchase is registered on the Oqood off-plan register with the DLD.
- 05
Construction & handover
Pay instalments per the plan, then snag and receive keys and title at completion.
Checklist
Documents you'll need
- Passport copy
- Signed SPA
- Booking payment
- Instalment schedule
Questions
Good to know
What if the project is delayed?
Your SPA sets out handover terms. Escrow disbursements are subject to applicable legal and project conditions, not construction progress alone.
Can I resell before completion?
Many developers allow assignment after a percentage of the price is paid. Check the SPA terms.
General guidance only. Fees and regulations change — confirm current figures with the Dubai Land Department, RERA or your bank.
