Buying off-plan in Dubai
How payment plans work, where your money is held, what you register with the Dubai Land Department, and what to check before you reserve.
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Selling off-plan before handover in Dubai
When a developer lets you resell, what it charges, the Dubai Land Department's fee, and what to ask before you buy with a resale in mind.
What the law allows
Under Article 6 of Law No. 13 of 2008, units sold off-plan and entered in the interim register may be sold, mortgaged or otherwise disposed of. Article 3 adds that any sale of an off-plan unit must be entered in the interim register, or it is void. The Dubai Land Department's own answer is short: resale is possible after obtaining a no-objection certificate from the developer.
Article 7 limits what developers may charge on a resale to the administrative costs DLD approves.
The developer's minimum payment
There is no single legal minimum: each developer sets the share of the price you must have paid before it issues a resale NOC, in the sale and purchase agreement. What three developers publish:
| Developer | Before it issues the NOC | NOC or transfer fee |
|---|---|---|
| Emaar | The minimum set in your sale agreement; all dues cleared. The buyer's new contract is issued at Emaar's original price | AED 5,000 + 5% VAT; the NOC is valid for 15 days |
| Ellington | 30% paid, or 50% plus the next instalment on ten named projects | AED 5,250 |
| Nakheel | Payment as the sale agreement requires; seller and buyer sign a novation agreement on off-plan units | AED 500 + VAT; the NOC is valid for 30 days |
Ask for the resale clause before you reserve. If you may need to sell early, the minimum payment decides how much cash you must put in first.
What a resale costs
| Cost | Amount | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| DLD registration fee | 4% of the sale value, plus AED 10 + AED 10 | Shared equally unless agreed otherwise |
| Registration trustee | AED 4,000 + VAT; AED 2,000 + VAT below AED 500,000 | As agreed |
| Developer NOC | AED 500 to AED 5,250 at the developers above | As agreed |
| Agency fee | Customarily 2% + VAT, if an agent is used | As agreed |
Executive Council Resolution No. 30 of 2013 sets the 4% fee on the value of the sale contract and shares it equally between seller and buyer unless they agree otherwise; DLD may reassess the value if the contract understates the market value. The official texts do not say whether an off-plan resale is charged on the original price or on the price you agree, so ask the trustee before you set your price.
The steps
- Check the resale clause.The minimum share you must have paid, and any other condition in your sale and purchase agreement.
- Clear what is due.Pay up to the threshold and settle any outstanding instalments or charges.
- Agree terms with the buyer.The price, who pays which fee, and that the buyer takes over the remaining payment plan.
- Get the developer's NOC.Apply to the developer; in freehold areas the e-NOC is issued through the Dubai REST app. Some developers also ask both parties to sign a novation agreement.
- Register the sale.The resale is registered with DLD, through a registration trustee centre or as the developer directs, and the buyer is entered in the interim register in your place.
If you are buying to sell before handover
- Work out how much you must pay before you are allowed to sell: on Ellington's terms, at least 30% of the price.
- Your profit has to cover your share of the 4% DLD fee, the trustee's fee, the developer's NOC and any agency fee.
- Nothing guarantees a buyer at a higher price. ValuStrat's residential price index fell 4% in the second quarter of 2026.
- If no buyer comes, you keep paying the plan: falling behind lets the developer terminate and keep up to 40% of the unit's value on a project more than 60% complete, or 25% below that.
Questions buyers ask
Can I sell my off-plan property before handover in Dubai?
Yes, once the developer issues a no-objection certificate. The sale must be registered in DLD's interim register, or it is void under Article 3 of Law No. 13 of 2008.
How much do I need to pay before I can resell off-plan?
The share your sale agreement sets; there is no single legal minimum. Ellington, for example, publishes 30%, or 50% plus the next instalment on ten named projects.
What does it cost to sell an off-plan property?
DLD's fee of 4% of the sale value plus AED 20, shared equally unless agreed otherwise, the registration trustee's fee of AED 4,000 + VAT (AED 2,000 + VAT below AED 500,000), the developer's NOC fee and any agency fee.
Who pays the 4% DLD fee on an off-plan resale?
By default the seller and buyer pay 2% each, under Executive Council Resolution No. 30 of 2013, unless they agree otherwise.
Does the buyer take over my payment plan?
Yes, the remaining instalments pass to the buyer. Emaar issues the buyer's new contract at its original purchase price, and Nakheel asks both parties to sign a novation agreement on off-plan units.
Sources
- Dubai Legislation Portal: Law No. 13 of 2008 on the interim property register
- Dubai Legislation Portal: Executive Council Resolution No. 30 of 2013 on Land Department fees
- Dubai Land Department: property sale registration
- Dubai Land Department: frequently asked questions
- Emaar: property transfers factsheet
- Ellington Properties: FAQ on registration and resale
- Nakheel: NOC for transfer (FAQ)
- ValuStrat: Dubai property market stabilises in Q2 2026 (July 2026)
- Dubai Legislation Portal: Law No. 19 of 2020 amending Law No. 13 of 2008
Keep reading
Off-plan or ready: how to choose in Dubai
How the two compare on payments, fees, mortgages, protection and moving in, using the rules that apply to each.
Read the guide