Off-Plan Payment Requests: Your Right to Proof Before You Pay

The Right Most Off-Plan Buyers Don't Know They Have

Off-plan payment schedules are usually framed as fixed: 10% on signing, 10% at 20% construction, and so on, until handover. In practice, developers send payment requests, and most buyers pay — because the contract says so, and because asking questions feels like it might slow the process down.

DLD's own FAQ page says something different. When a developer asks for the next installment, you're entitled to see proof that the project has actually reached the completion percentage tied to that payment — before you're obligated to pay it.

What DLD's FAQ actually says

Quoting the relevant answer directly:

"The investor has the right upon receiving the payment request from the developer to know the current completion percentage of the project by the developer specifically through a letter (from the project consultant approved by Dubai Land Department), otherwise the investor will not be obligated to pay, unless it is confirmed that the project has reached the stage or percentage of completion specified in the schedule of payments agreed-upon between the two parties."

In plain terms: your payment schedule is tied to construction milestones, not calendar dates. If the developer can't confirm the milestone has been hit, you're not required to pay yet.

There's a second, related right: DLD says investors can also request a formal completion report, prepared by the technical auditor at the Real Estate Regulatory Agency, after paying an audit fee of AED 15,000 for the unit or villa in question.

A plain-language checklist before you pay an installment

Ask who's confirming completion. The letter must come from the project consultant approved by DLD — not just an email from the developer's sales team.
Match the letter to your payment schedule. Your sale and purchase agreement should specify the completion percentage tied to each installment. The letter needs to confirm that percentage has actually been reached.
Check DLD's project tracking service yourself. You don't have to take either party's word for it — DLD's website and the Dubai REST app let you look up a project by plot number, project number, or name to see its stated completion percentage and status directly.
Know the AED 15,000 route exists. If you want an independent, RERA-auditor-prepared report rather than relying on the developer's consultant letter, that's a paid option, and DLD names the fee explicitly.
Don't pay on trust alone. Per DLD's own wording, until completion is confirmed at the contracted stage, you are not obligated to pay.

If the developer ignores the request

The FAQ doesn't promise DLD will chase this on your behalf in real time. What it does say:

RERA periodically monitors construction progress project-wide. If a project is stalled or progress is very minor, RERA contacts the developer and gives them a period to correct the situation.
If the developer doesn't comply and there's no valid justification for the delay, DLD can begin project cancellation procedures.
If a project is cancelled outright, escrow funds are moved to DLD's liquidation process, and the developer is required to return investor payments within 60 days of the cancellation decision — extendable if RERA finds valid reasons.
If the project isn't cancelled and you want your money back anyway, DLD is explicit: that requires going to court. DLD's role in disputes is limited to reconciling the two parties, not ruling on contract termination.

That last point matters — this right protects you from paying into a stalling project blind, but it doesn't replace legal recourse if things have already gone wrong.

Where this fits in your bigger cost picture

Verifying a milestone before paying is about protecting installments you haven't paid yet — it doesn't change what the transaction costs overall. Off-plan or resale, a Dubai purchase typically stacks the DLD transfer fee (~4% of price), a trustee registration fee, agency commission (~2%, resale only), and if you're financing, a mortgage registration fee plus a bank valuation fee. Run the full numbers with the mortgage calculator before committing to a payment plan, and compare how a stalled project affects your return using the ROI calculator.

If you're evaluating a specific project's track record before signing anything, cross-check the developer through developers listings and verify unit-level details via verify rather than relying solely on sales material.

Source: Dubai Land Department – Frequently Asked Questions

This article is informational only, not legal or financial advice. DLD's FAQ page is the authoritative source — confirm current fees, procedures, and your specific contract terms directly with DLD or a licensed legal advisor before acting.