Selling an off-plan home before handover
In Dubai you can usually sell an off-plan home before it is finished, by passing your contract to a new buyer. When developers allow it, what it costs, and how it is done.
Short answer
Most developers let you resell an off-plan home once you have paid a set share of the price, often 30–40%, and charge a fee for their consent (NOC). The buyer pays you what you have paid plus any premium, takes over the rest of the plan, and pays their own 4% DLD fee; the Oqood registration moves into their name. Check your agreement's resale clause before you buy if you might sell early.
Reselling, in 5 steps
Check the rules
Your sale agreement says when you may resell and the developer's fee. Ask the developer for your statement of account.
Price it and find a buyer
Compare the developer's current prices for similar units: resale buyers will.
Sign the sale
A sale agreement between you and the buyer, usually with a deposit held by the agent.
Get the developer's NOC
The developer confirms what has been paid and consents to the transfer, for their fee.
Transfer at the Land Department
At a registration trustee: the buyer pays you, and their DLD fee, and the Oqood moves to their name.
Advice first, then the right project
Dubai has thousands of projects and every developer says theirs is the best. We compare them for you, in your language, and tell you honestly which we would buy.
Many developers compared
Prices, payment plans, service charges and track records side by side, not one developer's sales pitch.
No fee from you on new projects
When you buy off-plan from the developer, the developer pays our fee: the price is the developer's price.
In your language
Contracts, payment schedules and the Land Department's paperwork, explained in English or Turkish.
With you to the keys
Reservation, registration, instalments, snagging and handover: one consultant from start to finish.
Questions buyers ask us
When your sale agreement allows it, usually once you have paid a share of the price that the developer sets -- often 30% to 40%.
The developer's fee for the NOC or transfer, which varies by developer, and the agent's fee if one sells it. The buyer pays the 4% DLD fee.
Not for individuals in the UAE. Your home country may tax it.
The buyer takes over the remaining instalments, or you settle them with the developer at the sale.
More guides
All guidesBuying in Dubai
Ownership, visas and protection
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Dubai's rules and fees change; figures are correct to the best of our knowledge on 15 October 2026. Check the latest with the Dubai Land Department or an adviser before you sign or pay.
Thinking of selling an off-plan home?
Tell us the project and unit. We will tell you what it should fetch and how the developer handles resales.