What Questions Should You Ask Before Buying Off-Plan in Dubai?

Before buying off-plan in Dubai, ask about the developer's track record, the payment plan structure, the handover date and penalties for delays, and what happens if the project gets delayed or cancelled. These five areas cover most of the risk. Get clear answers in writing before you pay a single dirham.

Who is the developer and what have they actually delivered?

Check the developer's history, not their marketing. Look at past projects, whether they were handed over on time, and whether the finished product matched the brochure.

Search the developer's name alongside "delay" or "complaints." RERA keeps a registry of approved developers and projects. If the developer is new or the project is their first, treat it as higher risk and price that into your decision.

Is the project registered with RERA and does it have an escrow account?

Yes, it should be. Every legitimate off-plan project in Dubai must be registered with the Dubai Land Department and funded through a dedicated escrow account. This means your payments go into an account controlled for that specific project, not into the developer's general funds.

Ask for the project's RERA registration number and the escrow account details. A developer who hesitates to provide these is a red flag.

What is the actual payment plan and what triggers each installment?

Payment plans vary a lot. Some ask for a bigger chunk upfront, others spread payments across construction milestones, and some push a large percentage to handover.

Ask exactly what triggers each payment: is it a date, a construction milestone, or the developer's own declaration? Milestone-based plans tied to independent verification protect you better than plans based on arbitrary dates.

What happens if handover is delayed?

Ask for the contractual grace period and what penalties apply after that. Most contracts allow a grace period, often several months, before any compensation kicks in. After that, check if the contract specifies compensation, a refund option, or nothing at all.

Also ask what "handover" actually means in the contract. Sometimes it means the building is structurally complete but not livable, which can leave you paying a mortgage or rent elsewhere while waiting for the unit to actually be ready.

Can you resell before handover and what does it cost?

Usually yes, through an Oqood transfer, but check the developer's specific resale policy first. Some developers charge a transfer or NOC fee, and some restrict resale until a certain percentage of the purchase price is paid.

Ask for the exact fee and the minimum payment threshold before you plan on flipping a unit before completion.

What is actually included in the price?

Ask whether the quoted price includes parking, storage, service charges for the first year, and finishing quality (fully fitted versus shell and core). Also ask for the estimated service charge per square foot once the building is operational, since this affects your real holding cost long after handover.

What recourse do you have if the project is cancelled?

Ask what the contract says about refunds if the project is cancelled or significantly delayed beyond a reasonable period. Escrow protections mean your money is tied to construction progress, but you should still know the specific refund mechanism before signing.

FAQ

Is off-plan property in Dubai a safe investment?

It can be, provided the project is RERA-registered, funded through escrow, and backed by a developer with a solid delivery history. The risk is not in off-plan itself, it is in skipping due diligence.

How much deposit do you usually need for off-plan in Dubai?

Deposits vary by project and developer, often a smaller upfront payment followed by installments tied to construction progress. Always confirm the exact figure and schedule in the sales agreement, not just the marketing brochure.

Can foreigners buy off-plan property in Dubai?

Yes. Foreign buyers can purchase off-plan property in designated freehold areas across Dubai, with the same registration and escrow protections applying regardless of nationality.

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash.