Quick Answer
Oqood is Dubai’s interim register for off-plan property. It records your purchase with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) before the building is finished, and protects your rights during construction. At handover, the Oqood is converted into a full title deed in your name.
If you have bought an off-plan property in Dubai, you have probably seen the word Oqood on your paperwork. It comes from the Arabic word for “contracts”, and it is the system DLD uses to register off-plan sales before a building is completed.
Understanding Oqood matters more than ever in 2026. A large wave of off-plan projects is due for handover this year, which means thousands of buyers are moving from Oqood to a title deed. This guide, from the Al Taresh team at our DLD-authorised trustee office, explains what Oqood is, how Oqood registration works, and what happens at handover.
What is Oqood and why it matters
Oqood is DLD’s interim real estate register. When you buy a unit that is still being built, there is no completed property to issue a title deed for. Instead, the sale is recorded in the interim register, linking you, the developer and the specific unit in DLD’s system.
Oqood registration matters for three reasons:
- Proof of ownership during construction. Your Oqood record is official evidence that the unit has been sold to you.
- Protection against double-selling. Once a unit is registered to you, the developer cannot register it to someone else.
- A basis for other transactions. You need a valid Oqood to resell your unit before handover, register a mortgage against it, or convert it to a title deed at completion.
After registration, the buyer receives an Oqood certificate, often called the Initial Contract of Sale, which confirms the registration.
Oqood and escrow: how your payments are protected
Oqood works alongside another safeguard: project escrow accounts. For registered off-plan projects in Dubai, buyers’ payments are made into an escrow account for that specific project, rather than directly to the developer’s general funds. Money is released to the developer as construction progresses, under the oversight of the authorities.
Together, Oqood and escrow mean that your purchase is registered with DLD and your payments are tied to the project you bought into. Always pay into the escrow account named in your SPA or payment instructions, and keep every receipt.
Oqood vs title deed
Oqood and a title deed both prove your rights to a property, but at different stages:
| Oqood | Title deed |
What it is | Registration of an off-plan purchase in DLD’s interim register | Registration of ownership of a completed property in DLD’s main register |
When it is issued | After you buy an off-plan unit, during construction | After the building is completed and handed over, or when you buy a ready property |
Can you sell? | Yes, subject to developer conditions and a developer NOC | Yes, subject to a developer NOC |
Can you mortgage? | Yes, through mortgage pre-registration | Yes, through mortgage registration |
Can you rent it out? | No, the unit isn’t built yet | Yes |
Who issues it | DLD, following registration of the sale | DLD |
How Oqood registration works
Who registers it. Oqood registration is usually started by the developer once the sale and purchase agreement (SPA) is signed and the initial payment is made. The buyer pays the Oqood registration fee, which is set by DLD. For current figures, see our guide to property transaction fees.
When. Registration should happen soon after the SPA is signed. If you have signed an SPA and paid but have not received your Oqood certificate, ask your developer for the status.
What the buyer receives. Once registration is complete, you receive your Oqood certificate (Initial Contract of Sale), showing your unit and purchase details as recorded with DLD.
Where a registration needs to be completed or corrected through a trustee office, our Oqood Registration team can help.
How to check your Oqood certificate and what’s on it
You can check your Oqood registration through DLD’s official channels, such as the Dubai REST app or DLD’s website, and many developers also show it on their customer portals. Your certificate typically shows:
- The buyer’s or buyers’ names.
The developer and project name. - The unit number and details.
- The purchase price.
- The registration date and reference number.
Check every detail carefully, especially the spelling of names. A mistake is much easier to fix now than on handover day.
Joint buyers and Oqood
If you bought with a partner, relative or business associate, every buyer should appear on the Oqood with their share recorded correctly. This matters later: a resale, mortgage or handover needs every registered buyer (or their representative) to take part, and the title deed will be issued in the same names and shares. If the shares or names are wrong, ask the developer to correct them before you start any transaction.
Oqood when you buy an off-plan resale
If you buy a unit from another investor rather than from the developer, you won’t get a fresh Oqood registration in the usual way. Instead, the existing Oqood is transferred from the seller to you as part of the resale, once the developer issues its NOC. After the transfer, check that your Oqood record shows your name, the correct unit and the remaining payment plan you have taken over. From that point on, you’re treated exactly like an original buyer at handover.
Selling or mortgaging a property that is still on Oqood
You don’t have to wait for handover to sell or finance an off-plan unit. To sell, you’ll need to meet your developer’s resale conditions and get a developer NOC, after which the Oqood is transferred into the buyer’s name. Our guide to selling off-plan property before handover covers the process.
To finance, the bank’s interest is recorded against the Oqood through mortgage pre-registration, then converted at handover. See our guide to off-plan mortgages and pre-registration.
Handover: converting Oqood to a title deed
When construction is finished, your Oqood is converted into a full title deed. The process generally runs like this:
- Completion notice. The developer notifies buyers that the building is complete and ready for handover, and requests the final payment.
- Final payment. You pay the remaining balance, plus any handover charges set out in your SPA. If you’re using a mortgage, your bank releases its payment and the mortgage is converted to a full registration.
- Developer clearance. The developer confirms that all payments are settled and issues the handover documents, and the unit is inspected and handed over.
- Title deed issuance. The unit is moved from the interim register to the main register, and DLD issues the title deed in your name. The title deed issuance fee applies; see our fees article
Once you have your title deed, all future transactions follow the standard process for ready property, explained in our guide to property transfer and your title deed.
What the 2026 handover wave means for Oqood holders
A large number of off-plan units in Dubai are due for handover in 2026. For buyers, that means developers, banks and registration offices are all busier than usual. A little preparation goes a long way:
- Check your Oqood details now, while there is time to correct names or unit details before handover.
- Plan your final payment early. If you are using a mortgage for the balance, start the bank process well before the completion notice arrives.
- Read your SPA’s handover terms, including any handover charges and the timeline for snagging and inspection.
- Keep your statement of account up to date, so the developer can clear you for handover without delay
A checklist for off-plan buyers
Whether you have just bought or are close to handover, keep these on file:
- Your signed SPA and payment plan.
- Your Oqood certificate (Initial Contract of Sale).
- Receipts for every payment made to the project’s escrow account.
- Copies of your passport and Emirates ID, with names matching the Oqood.
- Any correspondence with the developer about delays, changes or errors.
If you plan to sell before handover or finance the balance, have these ready before you start. It will save weeks.
Common Oqood problems and how to fix them
- Developer delays. Sometimes registration or conversion is slow because the developer hasn’t completed its steps with DLD. Keep written records and follow up with the developer. Our Delayed Property Transfer service can help where a registration or transfer has been held up.
- Name errors. A name that doesn’t match your passport can hold up a resale, mortgage or handover. Ask the developer to correct it as early as possible.
- Unpaid instalments. Missed instalments can block a resale, a NOC or handover. Check your statement of account before starting any transaction.
- Missing certificate. If you have paid but have no Oqood record, raise it with your developer straight away and keep proof of payment.
Whatever stage you’re at, from first registration to handover, the most useful thing you can do is keep your details accurate and your paperwork complete. It turns handover from a stressful wait into a routine appointment..
Frequently asked questions
What is Oqood in Dubai?
Oqood is the Dubai Land Department’s interim register for off-plan property. It records your purchase of a unit that is still under construction, before a title deed can be issued.
Is Oqood the same as a title deed?
No. Oqood registers an off-plan purchase during construction. A title deed registers ownership of a completed property. Your Oqood is converted into a title deed at handover.
How do I get my Oqood certificate?
Oqood registration is usually started by the developer after you sign the SPA and make the initial payment. Once registered, you receive the certificate, often called the Initial Contract of Sale, and you can check it through DLD’s official channels.
Can I sell my property while it is still on Oqood?
Yes, in most cases, once your developer’s resale conditions are met and the developer issues a NOC. The Oqood is then transferred into the buyer’s name.
What happens to my Oqood at handover?
After completion, the final payment and developer clearance, the unit moves from the interim register to the main register and DLD issues a title deed in your name.
How long does it take to get a title deed after handover?
It depends on how quickly the developer completes its registration steps with DLD and how quickly the final payment and clearance are done. Ask your developer for the expected timeline and keep your documents ready.