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.

  RERA · DLDYour agentConfirmed

• 2. Trakheesi permit issued

  Advertising without it is the fine, and it falls on whoever placed the advert. Filed through the RERA Trakheesi system. In Dubai an owner may hold it in their own name; a brokerage files it when one is acting for them.

  RERA · DLDYour 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 / EOI form

  The buyer registers interest with a booking amount, before any contract exists. Held by the developer — it is not yet a contract and does not bind the unit.

  RERA · DLDYouConfirmed

• 6. SPA — Sale & Purchase Agreement

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

  RERA · DLDThe 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.

  RERA · DLDThe developerConfirmed

• 8. Down payment

  The first payment, into the developer's project escrow under Law No. 8 of 2007 — never to us. Typically 10–20%, and it is what actually secures the unit.

  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. Oqood interim registration

  Interim registration of a unit that has no title deed yet. Due within 90 days of the SPA — late registration is the commonest off-plan defect and it is the developer's move, not the buyer's. The 4% land-department registration fee is paid here, not at handover, so budget it with the down payment rather than at the end.

  RERA · DLDThe 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.

  RERA · DLDThe developerConfirmed

• 13. Final instalment

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

  RERA · DLDYouConfirmed

• 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.

  RERA · DLDYouConfirmed

• 15. Keys

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

  RERA · DLDThe developerConfirmed

• 16. Oqood 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.

  RERA · DLDThe government officeConfirmed