Types of transfer developers handle
| Type | What is different |
|---|---|
| Under construction | Developer eligibility rules apply; a new SPA is issued and the interim registration is updated |
| Completed, with title deed | The title deed is transferred at DLD first, then in the developer's system |
| Completed, without title deed | Community clearance and the developer's transfer, with an admin fee |
| Name change between first-degree relatives | A simpler request, with the government registration updated |
Check before agreeing a resale
- What percentage of the price must be paid before the developer allows a transfer?
- Which fees apply, and who pays them?
- Are there unpaid instalments or late payment fees that must be cleared first?
- Is the unit mortgaged?
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell an off-plan unit before completion in Dubai?
Often yes, subject to the developer's conditions in the SPA, such as a minimum percentage paid, and the developer's no-objection. The transfer is then registered with DLD.
What does the developer do in its own system?
Typically it closes the original sale record, creates a new one for the new buyer, moves the payments already made across, issues the new buyer's SPA and collects its admin and registration fees.
Is a name change between relatives a transfer of ownership?
Developers usually treat a change between first-degree relatives as a separate, simpler request, but it still needs the government registration to be updated.
Sources
- Dubai Land Department — frequently asked questions (26 Oct 2026)
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