Resale of Off-Plan Property in Dubai 2026: Conditions, Fees, and Procedures

Yes, it is possible to resell an off-plan property in Dubai before handover; Law No. (13) of 2008 regarding the regulation of the interim real estate register allows the sale of units sold off-plan and registered with the Land Department.

However, the transaction cannot be completed by the seller's decision alone. It is subject to three elements: the terms of the signed Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with the developer, the developer's approval via a No Objection Certificate (NOC), and the registration of the new sale in the interim real estate register (Oqood) in the name of the new buyer.

This guide explains the conditions, fees and who bears them, steps and documents, how to calculate actual net profit, and when holding the unit until handover might be a better option.

Can you sell an off-plan property before handover in Dubai?

Yes, provided the unit is registered in the interim real estate register and the developer issues a No Objection Certificate. The Land Department FAQs confirm that assignment of the unit or deferred sale contract to another party before transfer to the real estate register is possible after obtaining a NOC from the developer (Verified: 26 October 2026).

What does assignment mean? The first buyer of an under-construction unit does not own a title deed yet, but has contractual rights and obligations towards the developer, proven by the interim registration certificate. Upon resale, these rights and obligations are transferred to a new buyer, who usually reimburses the seller for what has been paid to the developer plus the agreed price difference (premium), and the new buyer assumes the remaining installments.

Difference between assignment of an under-construction unit and sale of a completed property

Role of the Land Department The department is the registration authority, not a party to the agreement. Article (3) of Law No. (13) of 2008 states that any sale or other transaction on off-plan units is void if not registered in the interim real estate register. Therefore, resale is not legally complete unless registered with the department, and a private agreement between seller and buyer is not sufficient.

What are the conditions for reselling an under-construction property in Dubai?

The possibility of resale depends on four main conditions:

1. Registration of the unit in the interim register (Oqood) in the seller's name.

2. SPA allows assignment, with fulfillment of any required payment percentages, timeframes, or approvals.

3. No obstacles on the unit: No overdue installments, no unresolved mortgage, no ongoing dispute with the developer.

4. No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the developer.

Do you have to pay a specific percentage of the property price before reselling?

There is no unified payment percentage required by Dubai regulations before resale. However, many developers link issuing the NOC to reaching a minimum payment or a certain construction stage, and this percentage varies from one developer to another, and even from one project to another with the same developer.

The reliable way to find out the applicable percentage for your unit:

• Review the assignment or resale clause in the SPA and its appendices.

• Request written confirmation from the developer about the NOC issuance conditions before offering the unit for sale.

What is the role of the SPA?

The SPA is the primary reference for any resale transaction, as it determines:

• Whether assignment is allowed, and when.

• Preconditions: payment threshold, written developer approval, or time restrictions.

• Administrative fees that may be required by the developer.

• What transfers to the new buyer: payment plan, expected delivery date, specifications, rights and obligations.

• Whether an assignment addendum or a new contract between the developer and the new buyer is required.

The new buyer should also read this contract carefully, as they will inherit its obligations as is.

Does the property have to be registered in the Oqood system?

Yes. Article (6) of Law No. (13) of 2008 allows transactions on off-plan units registered in the interim register, and Article (3) voids any unregistered transaction.

The department requires the developer to register the SPA in the interim register within 90 days of signing. If the developer refuses or delays registration, the buyer can apply for registration with the department supported by documents. Before offering the unit for sale, ensure the interim registration certificate is issued in your name and its details match the contract.

Read also: Oqood system in Dubai and its importance in registering off-plan properties

What is the NOC and why do you need it?

The No Objection Certificate is an official approval from the developer to transfer the unit's rights to a new buyer, and the department will not register the resale of an off-plan unit without it. It can be obtained electronically via the Dubai REST app as announced by the department.

Purpose of the certificate The developer confirms that the seller is up to date with payments, there is no contractual barrier to assignment, and they are ready to continue the contract with the new buyer.

Common developer requirements

• Updated account statement proving payment of due installments.

• Reaching the payment threshold stated in the SPA, if any.

• Details and documents of the new buyer.

• No objection or clearance letter from the bank if the unit is mortgaged.

• Payment of the prescribed administrative fees.

Potential fees Article (7) of Law No. (13) of 2008 prohibits the developer from charging any fees on sale or resale, except for administrative expenses approved by the department. Therefore, administrative fees vary from one developer to another, and you have the right to request a written statement of their value and nature before agreeing with the buyer.

How to deal with delay or refusal?

• Submit the NOC request early, and before signing a final agreement with a binding transfer date.

• Request a written reason for refusal or delay from the developer.

• Address the reason if solvable: pay overdue amounts, complete documents, or settle the mortgage.

• If you believe the refusal violates the contract or the requested fees are not approved, consult a real estate lawyer and contact the department's official channels.

What are the fees for reselling an off-plan property in Dubai?

The cost of resale consists of four main items: sale registration fees at the Land Department, trustee office fees, developer administrative fees, and broker commission if a broker is involved. The largest item is the sale registration fee, which is 4% of the sale value.

Land Department fees

According to the fee schedule for interim sale registration at the department (Verified: 26 October 2026):

• 2% of the sale value paid by the seller, and 2% by the buyer, totaling 4%.

• Knowledge fee AED 10 and Innovation fee AED 10 for each fee.

The parties may agree on a different distribution, and it is common in the market for the buyer to bear the full 4%. The important thing is to state the agreed distribution clearly in the sale agreement.

Difference between first sale fees and resale fees

• On first purchase from the developer: The 4% is collected when registering the contract in the interim register, and the developer may bear it fully or partially as part of promotional offers.

• On resale: The transaction is a new disposition registered at its new value, and registration fees are due again. The fees paid during the first sale do not transfer to the new buyer and are not refunded to the seller.

Read also: Land Department fees in Dubai when buying property 2026

Developer and contract transfer fees

Some developers charge administrative fees for issuing the NOC and updating contract details, with no unified amount. As per Article (7) mentioned above, these should be limited to administrative expenses approved by the department. Request a written statement of their value, and check if the SPA specifies them in advance.

Additionally, the approved real estate trustee office handling the transaction charges service fees according to the department's schedule; it is advisable to request a written quote before the transfer date.

Is there a broker commission?

Only if you use a broker. There is no fixed commission percentage; it is determined by agreement in the brokerage contract, and the prevailing market practice applies in the absence of an agreement. The commission is subject to VAT. Ensure the broker is licensed and registered with RERA, and specify in writing which party pays the commission.

Resale fee table for under-construction units

How to resell an under-construction property in Dubai step by step?

1. Review the SPA: Check the assignment clause, payment threshold, administrative fees, and any time restrictions.

2. Obtain account statement: Request a statement from the developer showing the paid amount, remaining installments and their due dates, and any overdue amounts.

3. Set the price: Compare your price to similar units in the same project, including those the developer is still selling directly with their current payment plan.

4. Agreement with the buyer: Sign a sale agreement specifying the price, premium, amount paid by the buyer to the seller, who bears each fee, transfer date, and what happens if the NOC cannot be obtained.

5. Obtain the NOC: Submit the request via the developer or the Dubai REST app, and pay the administrative fees.

6. Prepare documents: Collect the documents listed below and prepare the means to pay the agreed fees and amounts.

7. Register transfer of rights and obligations: The transaction is registered with the department via the approved channel, and an interim registration certificate is issued in the new buyer's name, who then assumes the remaining installments to the developer.

What documents are required for resale?

• The original SPA and its appendices.

• Interim registration certificate (Oqood) in the seller's name.

• Updated account statement from the developer.

• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the developer.

• Signed sale agreement between seller and buyer.

• Valid Emirates ID or passport for both parties, and license/foundation documents if either party is a company.

• No objection or clearance letter from the bank if the unit is mortgaged.

• Certified and valid power of attorney if the transaction is done by proxy. The department states that the validity of a power of attorney for sale purposes is two years from notarization.

How do you calculate the profit from reselling your property before handover?

Net profit is what remains after deducting everything you paid and will not recover, not just the difference between sale and purchase prices.

What is the difference between resale price and net profit?

Resale price is the new total value of the unit agreed with the buyer. Net profit is calculated as follows:

Net profit = (Resale price − Original purchase price) − entry costs you paid and will not recover − exit costs borne by the seller

There is a common mistake: remaining installments are not deducted from profit, because you will not pay them; the new buyer will. Also, amounts you paid to the developer are not considered profit when recovered, as they are part of the original purchase price. Counting either twice gives an incorrect result.

Simple calculation example

This is a hypothetical example for illustration only, not a market average or a forecast for any project:

Assumptions

What happens in cash terms

• The buyer pays the seller: 600,000 (paid) + 200,000 (premium) = AED 800,000.

• The buyer assumes the remaining installments to the developer: 1,500,000 − 600,000 = AED 900,000, which is not included in the seller's profit calculation.

Net profit calculation

In this example, the apparent profit is AED 200,000, but the net is less than half. Compared to the seller's actual cash investment (600,000 + 60,000 = 660,000 AED), the net is about 15% over the entire holding period, not annually. If the seller bore part of the resale registration fees by agreement, the net would decrease by the same amount.

For more details on the factors that create a resale opportunity, refer to: How to profit from reselling property in Dubai?

What are the risks to watch out for before reselling?

The main risks are not just about the price, but also timing and existing obligations:

• Installment due during marketing: Listing the unit for sale does not stop your obligation to the payment schedule. Defaulting may subject you to default procedures regulated by law and contract, and may delay NOC issuance.

• Delay or refusal of NOC: Your agreement with the buyer may fall through if the certificate is not issued by the agreed date.

• Competition from the developer: If the developer is selling similar units at a better price or payment plan, your ability to charge a premium is weakened.

• Project delays: Reduces demand for the unit and puts pressure on price, especially if a large installment is due soon.

• Difficulty financing the buyer: The new buyer may face financing restrictions on under-construction units, limiting demand to cash buyers.

• Margin erosion by fees: A small premium may not cover entry and exit costs.

• Transactions outside official registration: Any agreement not registered in the interim register is void.

How to reduce the risks of resale?

• Read the assignment clause in the SPA before the first purchase, not just at resale.

• Keep enough liquidity to cover at least the next two installments during the marketing period.

• Request the NOC or written confirmation of its conditions before signing a final agreement.

• Check the project completion percentage via the department's project tracking service.

• Include a clause in the sale agreement specifying what happens if the NOC or registration cannot be issued.

• Calculate net profit including all costs before setting your minimum acceptable price.

• Deal with a licensed broker and avoid any payments outside approved channels.

If the project is stalled or threatened with cancellation, the different framework is explained in: How to act when an under-construction project is canceled in Dubai

Is reselling before handover better than holding until completion?

There is no single answer for all investors; the decision depends on your financial situation, your goal for the purchase, and the project status. The following comparison shows what changes with each option:

The balance may tip towards resale if the current premium clearly covers the costs, you have large upcoming installments you do not want to bear, or you need liquidity for another opportunity. It may tip towards holding if handover is near, your goal is rental income, or the available premium barely covers exit fees.

To explore ready market alternatives for comparison: Ready properties for sale in Dubai

Are you considering selling your property or buying an off-plan unit in Dubai?

Resale before handover is a real opportunity when the unit is registered, the contract allows assignment, and the premium clearly covers the costs. The Imtilak Global Dubai team can help you evaluate your current unit or select an off-plan unit in under-construction projects in Dubai with a clear exit plan from the start.

Contact the Imtilak Global team to discuss your real estate options in Dubai