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Buyer guide · as of Oct 2026

Off-plan property in Dubai: how buyers are protected

Off-plan means buying a unit before it is built. Dubai has specific rules for it: escrow accounts, provisional registration in Oqood and lower mortgage limits.

How escrow worksDLD fees

Facts checked as of Oct 2026 against official sources (listed at the end). Fees and rules change: confirm with the authority before you pay or sign.

Escrow accounts for off-plan property in Dubai

Under Dubai Law No. 8 of 2007, a developer that sells units off-plan must open an escrow account for the project. Payments by off-plan buyers go into that account, which is dedicated to building that project, and each project needs its own account. When the developer gets the completion certificate, the escrow agent keeps 5% for one year from the registration of the units in the buyers’ names, as a guarantee against defects.

Before a project can be registered, DLD requires the land to be in a freehold or long-term lease area and a 30% guarantee (30% construction completed, a bank guarantee or a cash deposit).

Oqood: registering your off-plan purchase

The developer registers your sale in DLD’s provisional (interim) register through the Oqood portal. The sale and purchase contract must be registered within 90 days of signing. Fees: 2% from the seller and 2% from the purchaser, plus AED 10 knowledge and AED 10 innovation fees; the developer pays an AED 1,000 self-registration fee.

Dubai off-plan payment plans

Payment plans (for example instalments linked to construction progress) are set by each developer in the sale and purchase contract, not by a single government rule. Read the schedule carefully and pay only into the project escrow account named in your contract.

Mortgage limits for off-plan property

Central Bank rules cap loans for property bought off-plan at 50% of value, regardless of purpose, value or buyer category. See the mortgage guide.

Off-plan checks before you pay

  • Is the developer and project registered with DLD?
  • Is the escrow account named in the contract?
  • Will the sale be registered in Oqood within 90 days?
  • Who pays the 4% DLD fee?

For agents: turn off-plan enquiries into closed deals

If you are a Dubai real estate agent, buyers will ask you these questions on the first call. The RealtorOne app helps you answer with confidence and keep the deal moving: the DealFlow CRM keeps every buyer in the right stage, Dubai DealRadar shows live DLD-open transaction data you can share, and SkillUp courses and Live Labs sharpen your calls. The free cold calling guide and pipeline software help you manage long off-plan follow-up cycles.

Download RealtorOne for agents

Off-plan property in Dubai: FAQ

Is off-plan property safe in Dubai?

Dubai law requires off-plan payments to go into a project escrow account, with 5% retained for a year after units are registered. Always check the project is registered with DLD.

What is Oqood?

DLD’s portal for registering off-plan sales in the provisional register, within 90 days of signing.

Can I get a mortgage on off-plan property?

Yes, but the Central Bank caps the loan at 50% of the value.

Sources

  1. Dubai Law No. 8 of 2007 on escrow accounts for real estate development
  2. DLD: Register Project (escrow account for off-plan sales)
  3. DLD: Frequently Asked Questions (escrow retention)
  4. DLD: Request to register the initial sale (Oqood)
  5. Central Bank of the UAE Rulebook: Mortgage Loans, Article 3 Important Ratios
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