How an off-plan resale works

You bought a unit for, say, AED 1,600,000 and have paid 40% (AED 640,000). Prices in the project have risen and similar units now sell for AED 1,800,000.

AED
Original price 1,600,000
Amount you paid to the developer 640,000
New sale price 1,800,000
Buyer pays you: your paid amount + premium 640,000 + 200,000 = 840,000
Buyer then pays the developer the remaining balance 960,000

Your gross gain is the premium (AED 200,000) before agency and developer fees. The buyer takes over all remaining instalments under the original payment plan.

Step by step

  1. Check your SPA and the developer's resale policy. Find the minimum paid percentage, transfer fees and any restrictions (some developers do not allow resale until a certain construction stage).
  2. Get a valuation. Compare with current launch prices in the same project and recent resale transactions recorded by DLD. Overpricing is the most common reason off-plan resales stall.
  3. List with a licensed broker. The property needs a DLD advertising permit before it is marketed. The broker markets the unit to investors and partner agencies.
  4. Agree terms and sign the sale agreement (the off-plan resale contract / MOU) with the buyer.
  5. Developer NOC. The developer confirms there are no outstanding amounts due and approves the transfer. Developers charge an admin/transfer fee.
  6. Transfer the Oqood registration. At the DLD (or a trustee office/developer office), the registration is transferred to the buyer. The buyer pays you the agreed amount and pays the DLD fee.
  7. The buyer continues the payment plan with the developer until handover.

Costs of selling off-plan before handover

Cost Usually paid by
DLD transfer fee (4%) Buyer
Developer admin / NOC fee Seller (amount varies by developer)
Agency commission Seller (agreed in the listing agreement)
Your original 4% DLD fee Already paid — not refunded

There is no capital gains tax on the premium for individuals in the UAE. Your home country may tax the gain — check with a tax advisor.

When can you sell? Typical developer conditions

  • Minimum paid: often 30–40% of the price before a resale NOC is issued. Some developers set lower or higher thresholds, or require construction to reach a certain stage.
  • Up-to-date payments: no overdue instalments.
  • Transfer fee: fixed amount or percentage of the price, set by the developer.

Because policies vary, check your developer's rules before you plan an exit.

Tips for a successful off-plan resale

  • Price against the market: the buyer compares your price with the developer's current price list. If the developer still sells similar units directly, your price must make sense next to theirs.
  • Highlight the payment plan: a buyer who takes over a good plan (for example post-handover instalments) gets value — make it clear in the listing.
  • Time it well: demand is often strongest as handover approaches, when buyers can see the finished building.
  • Have documents ready: SPA, Oqood certificate, statement of account from the developer, payment receipts.

Selling after handover instead

Once the project is completed and you receive the title deed, the property is sold as ready property: the buyer can use a mortgage, rent can be shown, and there is no developer threshold, but you must pay the handover balance first. Compare both options with a broker before deciding. See off-plan vs ready.

Sell your off-plan unit with SPI Dubai

SPI Dubai's 150+ brokers and network of 20,000+ partners work with investors from dozens of countries who are looking for off-plan resales. We check your developer's rules, value the unit against real transactions and handle the transfer. Get a free valuation — we usually reply within 10 minutes.

This article is for general information only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Developer resale policies and fees vary; check your SPA and confirm with the developer and DLD.

Sources: Dubai Land Department (Oqood, transfer fees 2026); fäm Properties, "When can I sell my off-plan property?" (developer resale thresholds); Dubai Law No. 8 of 2007.