5 Questions to Ask a Developer Before You Book in Dubai
Before you pay a booking amount in Dubai, ask the developer what they have already delivered, whether the project is registered and where your money goes, what the contract says about the handover date, the full cost, and exactly what you are buying. A serious developer will answer clearly and in writing; if the answers are vague, slow down.
A sales gallery is designed to make you say yes. The model is beautiful, the payment plan sounds easy, and the sales team is excellent. That is exactly why you need a short list of questions before you pay a booking amount. After more than 13 years on the developer side and the broker side, these are the five I tell every buyer to ask.
1. “What Have You Already Delivered — and Can I See It?”
A render shows what a developer plans to build. Finished projects show what they actually build. Ask for the projects they have handed over, visit one if you can, and ask the residents how the handover went.
2. “Is the Project Registered, and Where Exactly Does My Money Go?”
Dubai has a specific law for this: Law No. (8) of 2007 Concerning Escrow Accounts for Real Estate Development. A developer who sells off-plan must open an escrow account for the project, approved by the Dubai Land Department, and buyers’ payments go into that account.
Practical rule: ask for the escrow account details in writing, and pay only into the project’s escrow account — never into a personal account, and never in cash.
3. “What Does the Contract Say About the Handover Date?”
Don’t rely on what you hear in the meeting. Read the exact handover date in the contract, and ask what the contract says if that date moves.
4. “What Is the Full Cost — Not Only the Price?”
The price on the brochure is not the whole picture. Ask for a written list of every fee you will pay at booking and at registration, every payment milestone in the plan, and the service charges you should expect after handover.
5. “What Exactly Am I Buying?”
Get the floor plan, the unit size, the specifications and the finishing list in writing — together with the view, the floor and the parking. If it is not written in the documents, treat it as not promised.
One More Check
Make sure you are dealing with a licensed developer and, if a broker is involved, a licensed brokerage. A good broker will be happy to help you ask all five questions.
The Bottom Line
A serious developer will answer these questions clearly and in writing. If the answers are vague, slow down. Your booking amount is easy to pay — and hard to get back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should my booking payment go when I buy off-plan in Dubai?
Under Law No. (8) of 2007, a developer who sells off-plan must open an escrow account for the project, approved by the Dubai Land Department. Ask for the escrow account details in writing, and pay only into the project’s escrow account — never into a personal account, and never in cash.
What should I ask about besides the price?
Ask for a written list of every fee you will pay at booking and at registration, every payment milestone in the plan, and the service charges you should expect after handover.
What if the developer’s answers are vague?
Slow down. A serious developer will answer these questions clearly and in writing. Your booking amount is easy to pay — and hard to get back.
Buying Property in the UAE?
Choose the emirate you have in mind, or let me suggest the one that suits you best. Tell me your goal or the project you saw, and I will give you free, honest guidance before you decide. Any purchase is completed through a brokerage licensed by the relevant emirate’s regulator (e.g. RERA in Dubai).
This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Always confirm the latest rules with the Dubai Land Department.
