Selling or Buying an Off-Plan Unit Before Handover in Dubai: What to Check

The Short Answer

What the Developer Usually Has to Approve

For Sellers: Questions to Settle First

For Buyers: What You Are Actually Buying

Price Is Not Only the Asking Number

Common Mistakes

Why Choose Banke International Properties?

Conclusion

Dubai Real Estate Insights · Off-Plan Selling or Buying an Off-Plan Unit Before Handover in Dubai: What to Check Many Dubai buyers pay for an off-plan unit, then want to sell before the building is finished. Sometimes that is possible, but it is not automatic. The sale and purchase agreement (SPA) and the developer decide what is allowed and on what terms. This Banke UAE

guide explains how an off-plan resale generally works, what approvals to expect, and the questions both the seller and the new buyer should settle before any money moves. The Short Answer A buyer who holds an off-plan unit holds the right to buy it under the SPA, not yet a finished home. Selling that position before handover is usually called an assignment or an off-plan

resale. Whether it is allowed, and when, is set by your contract and by the developer's conditions, within the framework of Dubai Land Department (DLD) and RERA rules. The two points that most often decide the outcome are how much of the price you have already paid, and whether the developer will give written approval. Some contracts restrict resale until a share of the price

has been paid. Do not assume your contract is the same as a neighbour's: read your own. What the Developer Usually Has to Approve In practice the developer is involved in the transfer, because the unit is registered against the original buyer's name in its sales records and on the Oqood system (see our guide to Banke guide to Oqood for off-plan buyers ). Expect

to be asked for: A written no-objection certificate (NOC) from the developer, which usually requires the seller's payments to be up to date. An administration or transfer fee set by the developer. The amount varies, so ask for it in writing. Identity documents and, where relevant, company papers for the new buyer. A statement of what has been paid and what remains due under the

payment plan. The final step is a transfer recorded with the DLD or its trustee centres. Confirm the current process with the developer and the DLD before you agree a date. For Sellers: Questions to Settle First What does the SPA say about resale? Look for any minimum payment before you may sell, and any developer approval or fee. What do you still owe? The

new buyer takes over the remaining instalments, so the price you agree should be clear about what is already paid. Are there any holds on the unit? A missed instalment or a dispute can stop an NOC. What will it really cost you? Add the developer's fee, any agent fee and the DLD costs you are responsible for, so the net figure is not a

surprise. Is a mortgage involved? If a lender has any interest in the unit, it must be dealt with before a transfer. For Buyers: What You Are Actually Buying A new buyer of a resold off-plan unit steps into the original contract. That means you inherit the remaining payment plan, the handover date and the developer's obligations, and you also inherit any problems. Before you

pay: Ask for the SPA and the latest payment statement and check them against the seller's description. Check the developer and the project are registered, and that the unit is genuinely registered on Oqood. See Banke guide on how to check a Dubai advert and broker . Look at the handover date and what the contract says if it slips. Pay only through the route

the developer and the DLD process allow. Be careful of any request to send the seller money directly before an NOC exists. Understand the escrow position. Developer instalments for registered projects are meant to go into the project escrow account. Our Banke escrow guide explains how that protects buyers. Price Is Not Only the Asking Number Off-plan resale prices are often described as "paid so

far plus a premium" or "paid so far minus a discount". The headline figure hides the full position. Ask for a one-page summary showing the original price, the amount paid, the amount remaining, the proposed resale price and every fee, so both sides can see the same numbers. A premium over what the seller paid means the market has moved, or that the seller wants

a profit. Neither is guaranteed to hold until handover. Prices in Dubai can fall as well as rise, and a resale does not remove that risk for the new buyer. Common Mistakes Agreeing a price and taking a deposit before checking whether the SPA even permits resale. Paying the seller directly without a developer NOC in place. Forgetting the remaining instalments and treating the resale