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Independent Dubai off-plan research
Dubai off-plan, checked before you sign.
Off-plan means buying before the building is finished. We check projects, payment plans and costs against official records, and the guides cover renting and owning too.
Official sources, dated
Every fee and rule links to the Dubai Land Department (DLD), its regulator RERA, Dubai Municipality or the developer, with the date we checked.
No sales calls
We don't sell property and never pass your details to agents. Published by the iOffPlanDubai team. We're independent, not a broker or law firm.
Free to read
Any paid placements (labelled adverts) will be clearly marked; they never change what we write.
Pick your situation
Start where you are
What do you need to do?
Buy off-plan
Payment plans, the escrow account that holds your money, delays and handover (getting the keys).
Own and maintain
Yearly service charges, owners associations, NOC letters (no-objection certificates) and Mollak, the system that bills them.
Example · not a real offer
Two payment plans for the same AED 1,500,000 apartment
Same price, same 24-month build. The split decides how much cash you need before the keys, and when.
| Example figures | Plan A · 60/40 | Plan B · 80/20 |
|---|---|---|
| On booking | 10% · AED 150,000 | 20% · AED 300,000 |
| During construction | 50% in 5 instalments | 60% in 5 instalments |
| On handover | 40% · AED 600,000 | 20% · AED 300,000 |
| Cash before the keys | AED 900,000 | AED 1,200,000 |
| Largest single payment | AED 600,000 | AED 300,000 |
Example figures, chosen to show the arithmetic; real offers also carry DLD fees, Oqood (off-plan registration) and admin charges that this table leaves out.
Compare your own two plans → Saved only in your browser.
Calculators
Work out the numbers
Price per square foot
Check if a quote is fair using the area on your floor plan.
Open calculator →Service charges
See what you'll pay each year from the rate per square foot.
Open calculator →Compare two payment plans
See how much you pay, and when, before handover.
Compare plans →Read most
Most read guides
What readers open most, across renting, buying and owning. Each line gives the short answer first.
Noisy neighbours Dubai: who to call and how to complain
Call building security first. For non-emergency police guidance, call 901; for an emergency, call 999.
A2A form Dubai — what to check before signing
An A2A is an agent-to-agent agreement. Check who appointed each office and what the written fee terms say.
BUA meaning in real estate: check your Dubai floor plan
BUA means built-up area. Check what it includes before comparing prices per square foot.
Construction noise complaint Dubai: who to call
Contact Dubai Municipality on 800900 with the site location and noise times. Keep your report reference.
RERA Dubai cancelled projects list: lookup and refund law
Check your project's status with Dubai Land Department (DLD), using its project number and exact phase.
Owners association Dubai: committee, management and fees
Send a building maintenance problem to your building's management contact first.
Projects
Looking at a particular project?
Each project page shows what the developer has published about the homes, prices and dates, and the questions to ask before you pay. Nothing is for sale here.
