How to Choose a Developer and Project in the UAE

When you buy off-plan, you are not only buying a unit — you are relying on a developer to deliver it, on time and to the standard promised. Even for ready property, the developer's reputation affects build quality, community management and resale value. These are the checks we carry out before recommending any project.

1. The developer's track record

• Completed projects: how many, where, and how long ago. Visit one if you can and look at how it has aged.
• Delivery history: were previous projects handed over close to the promised dates? Moderate delays are common in the industry; repeated long delays are a warning sign.
• Owner feedback: speak to residents or owners' associations about quality, snagging and after-sales service.
• Financial strength: listed developers publish results; for private developers, look at the scale and consistency of their recent deliveries.

2. The project's registration and protection

In Dubai, a developer selling off-plan must have the project registered with the Dubai Land Department and open a dedicated escrow account for it, under Law No. 8 of 2007. Buyers' payments go into that account and are released to the developer as construction progresses; DLD also notes that 5% of the amount paid into the escrow account is retained for one year after completion. Before paying anything:

• confirm the project and developer are registered with DLD, for example through the Dubai REST app;
• make payments only to the project's escrow account, never to personal accounts;
• make sure your purchase is registered on the Oqood register.

Other emirates have their own registration and escrow requirements; the same principle applies — verify with the official authority.

3. Project status and handover

Ask for the current construction status and the expected handover date, and understand that handover dates are estimates. Check what the sale agreement says about delays, changes to specifications and your rights if the project is significantly late.

4. The payment plan

• How much is due during construction, at handover, and after handover (if any)?
• Are instalments tied to dates or to construction milestones?
• Can you pay the handover balance — from savings, a mortgage, or the sale of another asset — even if the market or your circumstances change?
• What fees are payable at booking, including DLD registration?

5. The product and the location

• Layouts and sizes that suit the people you expect to live there or rent it.
• Service charge expectations once the building is complete.
• Connectivity, schools, retail and the timing of promised infrastructure.
• How much other new supply is planned nearby — market reports for 2026 point to a large Dubai pipeline, so competition between similar projects matters.

6. Read the documents

Read the reservation form and the sale and purchase agreement in full before signing — cancellation terms, penalties, delay provisions and handover conditions. If anything is unclear, ask for it in writing or take independent legal advice.

How we help

We shortlist projects against your goals and budget, explain the strengths and trade-offs of each, and help you verify registration, payment terms and documents before you commit. Our recommendation always starts with whether a project fits you — not with which project is being promoted.

This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Check current regulations and project details with the official authorities before committing.

Sources

• Dubai Legislation Portal, Law No. (8) of 2007 Concerning Escrow Accounts for Real Estate Development in the Emirate of Dubai — dlp.dubai.gov.ae.
• Dubai Land Department, Frequently Asked Questions (escrow account, retention) — dubailand.gov.ae.
• Dubai Land Department, Request to register the initial sale (Oqood fees) — dubailand.gov.ae.
• Engel & Völkers Dubai, "Dubai Housing Market 2026: Mid-Year Review & Outlook", updated 9 September 2026 — engelvoelkers.com.