Off-plan property

How off-plan buying works

1. Reservation — you choose a unit and pay the booking amount set by the developer.
2. Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) — the contract with the developer, listing the unit, price, payment schedule and expected completion date.
3. Registration — off-plan sales in Dubai are registered with the Dubai Land Department in the interim register (Oqood). The 4% DLD fee is normally due at this stage.
4. Instalments — you pay the construction-linked or time-linked instalments into the project's escrow account.
5. Handover — the balance is paid (in cash or with a mortgage), you inspect the unit (snagging) and receive the keys and the title deed.

Why buyers choose off-plan

• Staged payments instead of the full price up front.
• New buildings with current specifications and amenities.
• Choice of unit — floor, view and layout — early in the launch.

What to check before you book

• The project is registered and has an escrow account; pay only into that account.
• The payment plan in the SPA matches the plan you were shown.
• The expected completion date and what the SPA says about delays.
• Service charges after handover, and resale or assignment rules before completion.

Off-plan prices and payment plans change during a launch. We show official figures with the date we checked them, and confirm them in writing before you book.