Off-plan · Apartments
Off-plan apartments in Dubai
An off-plan apartment is bought from the developer before completion, usually through staged payments into a regulated escrow account. Before paying, confirm the project and developer on the Dubai REST app. Read the sales agreement for the handover and delay clauses, and understand the payment plan. Ask how service charges will be set once the building is complete.
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- Payment
- Staged instalments into a project escrow account
- Registration
- Interim registration (Oqood) with DLD
- Verification
- Project and developer checked on Dubai REST
- Main risks
- Delays, specification changes, exit liquidity
- After handover
- Service charges set via Mollak; snagging needed
Where off-plan apartments are being built
New apartment projects come up across established districts and newer master plans. Recent off-plan supply has included Business Bay, Dubai Creek Harbour, Sobha Hartland, Mohammed Bin Rashid City, Jumeirah Village Circle, Arjan, Dubai South and Dubai Islands.
Projects vary widely in scale, specification and developer experience. Compare a launch with ready buildings nearby. You can inspect those and see what similar homes actually sell and rent for.
Verify before you pay
- Check the project and developer on the Dubai REST app. Our guide shows how to verify a developer on Dubai REST.
- Pay only into the project's escrow account, never to an individual. Read RERA escrow accounts explained.
- Confirm that the advert carries a valid permit and a Madmoun QR code.
- Make sure the purchase is registered with DLD as an Oqood. See title deed and Oqood explained.
Our off-plan due diligence checklist lists the full set.
Read the sales agreement properly
Brochures sell. The SPA governs. Look for the anticipated completion window and any grace period, and what happens if completion is late. Check how much the specification or layout can change, and the penalties for late payment. Check the conditions for reselling before handover, which some developers restrict until a share of the price is paid. See selling or assigning off-plan before handover. Take legal advice on anything unclear.
Payment plans and the cost picture
Payment plans spread the price across construction and sometimes after handover. Model every instalment against your cash flow. A post-handover plan still has to be paid if rents or values move. Our payment plans guide explains the common structures.
The 4% DLD fee is usually payable at registration. Some developers run promotions that change who pays it, so read the terms. Banks generally lend on off-plan only near or after completion. Service charges for a new building are set once it is under management, so treat any brochure figure as an estimate and check Mollak later.
At handover
Inspect the unit before accepting keys and log defects formally. Our snagging checklist and handover checklist help. If you plan to let the unit, our property handover service can attend for you. That is particularly useful for overseas owners.
Questions people ask
Is off-plan cheaper than buying a ready apartment?
Not necessarily. Some launches are priced at or above nearby ready stock. Compare the total price, payment timing and risk with ready units you can inspect today.
How do I know my money is protected?
Payments should go into the project's escrow account under RERA/DLD regulation. Check the escrow details and project registration on Dubai REST, and never pay an individual's account.
Can I sell my off-plan apartment before handover?
Often, subject to the developer's conditions, which may require a minimum share of the price to be paid first and a developer NOC. Check the SPA before you buy.
When will I know the service charge?
Final service charges are set once the building is managed and the budget is approved through Mollak. Treat any early figure as an estimate.
Can I get a mortgage on an off-plan apartment?
Lending on off-plan is limited and usually comes near or after completion. Plan to fund the construction-stage instalments yourself, and speak to a bank early.
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