Buying off-plan from a developer

Every step, and what proves it happened

• 1. Developer and project on the register

  The project is registered and its escrow account exists. Buyer money goes into the DEVELOPER's project escrow under Law No. 8 of 2007 — PropDirect never holds it.

  DMT · ADRECYour agentConfirmed

• 2. Madhmoun permit issued

  Advertising without it is the fine, and it falls on whoever placed the advert. Filed through the ADREC Madhmoun system. In Abu Dhabi it is issued to a licensed brokerage, so an owner listing directly cannot hold one - this is the step where an agent is required.

  DMT · ADRECYour agentConfirmed

• 3. Mortgage pre-approval

  Only where there is finance. Off-plan lending is usually arranged near handover rather than at booking, so confirm early what the bank will lend and on what date — the payment plan does not wait for it.

  CBUAEYouConfirmed

• 4. Listing live

  The unit published with its permit number and the developer's payment plan shown. Off-plan is sold on the plan as much as on the unit, so a listing without it invites the questions the EOI is supposed to settle.

  Your agentConfirmed

• 5. Reservation agreed with the developer

  The buyer registers interest with a booking amount, before any contract exists. Get the developer's receipt for it in writing — Abu Dhabi publishes no standard form, so their receipt is the record.

  DMT · ADRECYouNot confirmed

• 6. SPA — Sale & Purchase Agreement

  The developer's contract, carrying the payment plan and the handover date. Everything after this hangs off its dates.

  DMT · ADRECThe developerConfirmed

• 7. Payment plan registered

  The instalment schedule the SPA hangs on: how many payments, what each is worth, and what construction milestone each falls due against. Ask for it in writing before the down payment, not after.

  DMT · ADRECThe developerConfirmed

• 8. Down payment

  The first payment, into the developer's project account — never to us. It is what actually secures the unit; ask the developer what proportion they require.

  YouConfirmed

• 9. Buyer identity and AML check

  Emirates ID or passport, source of funds, and screening. Federal, so it is the same in every emirate — and it is what stops a transfer on the day if it is left late.

  YouConfirmed

• 10. Interim registration before handover

  The developer registers the unit on the interim register through DARI, within 21 days of the contract. Late registration adds AED 10,000, and it is the developer's move rather than the buyer's.

  DMT · ADRECThe developerConfirmed

• 11. Construction instalments

  Payments falling due against build progress rather than against dates. THIS STEP REPEATS — eight to twelve times over two to three years — and the journey shows the run of them as one step rather than pretending a purchase has twenty.

  YouConfirmed

• 12. Completion notice

  The developer's formal notice that the unit is complete. It starts the clock on the final instalment and on handover, so it is the document to chase rather than wait on.

  DMT · ADRECThe developerConfirmed

• 13. Final instalment

  The last payment, into the project escrow — never to us. Instalments before it fall due against construction progress.

  DMT · ADRECYouConfirmed

• 14. Snagging inspection

  The buyer's defects list, submitted before accepting keys. Raised after handover it is a goodwill request; raised before, it is a condition of acceptance.

  DMT · ADRECYouConfirmed

• 15. Keys

  Keys, once the plan is paid and the snagging is settled.

  DMT · ADRECThe developerConfirmed

• 16. Registration converts to a title deed

  The interim registration converts into a title deed in the buyer's name. Not a new document being issued — the existing entry changing character.

  DMT · ADRECThe government officeConfirmed