Buying off-plan means paying for a home while it is being built. A clear payment plan and proper protection of your money are what make that arrangement work.
How payment plans are structured
Plans are usually described as two or three numbers, such as 20/50/30. In practice they combine:
- A down payment when you book the unit.
- Instalments during construction, either on fixed dates or when the building reaches agreed milestones.
- A balance on handover, when the property is completed and handed over.
Some developers also offer post-handover plans, where part of the price is paid in instalments after you receive the keys. Each project page on our website shows the plan the developer has published, with the stages and timing where they are known.
What protects your payments in Dubai
In Dubai, off-plan projects are registered with the Dubai Land Department and buyers' payments are made into the project's approved escrow account rather than directly to the developer. Funds are linked to the project, which is why it is worth confirming the project's registration and escrow details before you pay.
Fees to plan for
Alongside the instalments, Dubai purchases carry the Dubai Land Department registration fee of 4% of the sale value, plus fixed administrative fees. Ask for a full cost breakdown so your budget covers every payment, not only the price.
Questions to ask before you sign
- Is the project registered, and what are its escrow account details?
- Are instalments linked to dates or to construction progress?
- What is the expected handover date, and what happens if it moves?
- Which fees are payable at booking and which at handover?
Our consultants can walk you through the payment plan of any project on our website and request the latest details from the developer.