How to verify a developer on Dubai REST

Why verify yourself

Sales galleries, brochures and agents can be wrong, out of date or occasionally misleading. DLD's own records are the reference. Verifying takes a few minutes and protects deposits that can be large. It also helps you ask better questions: if the project status or escrow details are not what you expected, you can raise it before signing.

Step 1: Get the app and the details

Download Dubai REST from the official app stores via the DLD Dubai REST page. Before searching, collect from the seller: the developer's legal name, the project name as registered (marketing names can differ), the building or phase, and the escrow account shown in your draft SPA or payment plan.

Step 2: Check the developer

Search for the developer and confirm it is registered. Note its registered name exactly — payment instructions and the SPA should use the same entity. If the company in your documents is a different entity, ask why in writing. Then look at the developer's other registered projects to understand its track record in Dubai and visit completed ones where possible.

Step 3: Check the project and escrow

Find the specific project and check:

• that it is registered with DLD
• its status and progress information shown
• the escrow bank and account details

Compare the escrow details with your SPA and every payment request. They must match. For why this matters, read RERA escrow accounts explained.

Step 4: Check the agent and the advert

Dubai REST and DLD services also let you check brokers and brokerages. Confirm your agent's registration and that the advert you saw carries a valid Madmoun QR code. See how to check a RERA-licensed agent.

Step 5: After you buy

Once you sign the SPA and pay, the developer registers your contract on Oqood. Check that the registration appears and keep the Oqood certificate. See title deed and Oqood explained. Keep monitoring the project status during construction.

Red flags

• Project not found, or found under a different developer
• Escrow details in the app differ from your payment instructions
• Requests to pay a personal or non-escrow account
• An agent who cannot be found on DLD records
• Pressure to pay before you can verify

If you see any of these, pause and contact DLD. For the full pre-purchase list, use the off-plan due diligence checklist.

Who does what

DLD maintains the registers and the app. The developer registers its projects, escrow accounts and buyers' contracts. The escrow bank holds the project funds. Your agent should give you the exact project and developer names and point you to the escrow details, but you should run the checks yourself rather than accept screenshots. If you are buying through an attorney, ask them to share what they find on the app before any payment is made. For the developer pages on this site, see our developer profiles, which summarise each company's communities without replacing your own checks.

Keep a record

Take screenshots of the developer, project and escrow details on the day you check, with the date visible, and save them with your SPA and receipts. If details later change — for example a developer switches escrow bank — you will have evidence of what you relied on. Re-check before each large payment, especially the handover payment.