Escrow: where the money sits during construction
Every registered off-plan project in Dubai has its own escrow account at a bank, and buyers' payments go there. The developer receives funds as construction progress is confirmed. The account number and bank are in the SPA; you can match them in the Dubai REST app under Project Status (Mashrooi), which also shows the project status and inspection details.
Escrow does not remove risks such as delays. It does answer the most common question: where the money goes. More on checks in how to check a broker and developer.
Oqood: registering a unit in a building under construction
- After the contract is signed, the developer registers the sale in Oqood — DLD confirmation that the unit in the project is assigned to you.
- The DLD fee of about 4% of the price is paid at registration (as with ready property), in practice often through the developer.
- The Oqood certificate matters if you resell before handover: an assignment is also registered with the DLD under the developer's rules.
Title Deed: the ownership certificate
- Ready property: the Title Deed in the new owner's name is issued on transfer day at the Trustee office.
- Off-plan: after handover the Oqood record is converted into a Title Deed. The 4% is not paid again; only small issuing fees apply.
- Deeds are electronic and can be verified free on the DLD website or in Dubai REST by certificate number and year, or by QR code. The check also shows whether the property is mortgaged.
How it fits into a deal
Off-plan: SPA → payments into escrow on schedule → Oqood registration → construction → handover → Title Deed. Details in buying off-plan.
Ready: MOU with the seller (Form F) → developer NOC → transfer at the Trustee office → Title Deed in your name the same day. Comparison in off-plan or ready.
This is general information. Check fees and procedures with the DLD as of your deal date.