Oqood in Dubai Explained (2026): Off-Plan Registration, Fees and Certificate

Oqood is the Dubai Land Department's (DLD) interim register for off-plan property. When you buy a unit that hasn't been built yet, the developer registers your sale and purchase agreement (SPA) on Oqood, and you receive an Oqood certificate as proof that the purchase is recorded in your name. The 4% DLD fee is paid at this stage, not again later, and the Oqood registration is replaced by a title deed after the building is completed and handed over.

This guide explains how Oqood works, what it costs, why it matters if you want to resell or get a mortgage, and how it becomes a title deed. It reflects published guidance as of November 2026. Fees and developer policies vary, so check your SPA and confirm current amounts with the DLD.

What Oqood Means for Off-Plan Buyers

• Proof of purchase: your interest in the unit is recorded by the government, not just in a contract with the developer.
• Protection against double sales: a registered unit can't simply be sold to someone else.
• A record for resale: if you sell before handover, it is the Oqood registration that transfers to the new buyer.
• A link to escrow: your payments go into the project's escrow account, which the DLD oversees. See how escrow protects off-plan buyers.

People often call Oqood a "pre-title deed". That is a fair description, but it is not a title deed. It records a purchase, not a finished property.

How Oqood Registration Works

1. You sign the SPA with the developer and pay the first instalment.
2. The developer registers the sale on Oqood with the DLD. Published guides say developers should do this within a set period, often cited as 60 days, and some issue the certificate only once an initial percentage has been paid.
3. You pay the 4% DLD fee, unless the developer has offered to cover it as part of a promotion.
4. You receive the Oqood certificate, which you can keep with your SPA and payment receipts.

If several weeks pass with no Oqood registration, ask the developer why. A registered purchase is one of the basic protections of buying off-plan in Dubai.

Oqood Fees

Fee	What to expect
DLD registration fee	4% of the purchase price, paid at Oqood stage and not charged again at title deed stage
Oqood and admin fees	Published figures vary widely, from about AED 1,000 to AED 5,250; check your SPA
Conversion to title deed	Smaller fees at handover, plus any developer admin charges

Some developers absorb the 4% to attract early buyers. If yours does, make sure the SPA says so in writing. For the full list of buying costs, see the cheapest way to buy property in Dubai.

Oqood vs Title Deed

	Oqood	Title deed
What it records	Your purchase of an off-plan unit	Your ownership of a completed property
When it is issued	After the SPA is registered	After completion, final payment and handover
4% DLD fee	Paid here	Not charged again
Can you sell?	Yes, subject to the developer's resale policy	Yes, as a standard resale

For everything about the final document, read our guide to title deeds in Dubai.

Selling or Mortgaging an Off-Plan Unit on Oqood

You can usually sell before handover by transferring the Oqood registration to the buyer. Most developers require a minimum share of the price to be paid first and charge a transfer or no-objection fee, and policies differ between developers and projects. Read how to sell off-plan property before handover before you list.

Some banks lend on off-plan units from approved projects, and the Oqood registration is part of what they check. Golden Visa applications on off-plan property also depend on the developer and the amount paid, so confirm eligibility first. See golden-visa-eligible properties from AED 2 million.

From Oqood to Title Deed at Handover

1. The building receives its completion certificate.
2. You pay the final instalment and any handover charges, and inspect the unit. See our snagging and handover checklist.
3. The developer applies to the DLD, and the Oqood entry is replaced by a title deed in your name, commonly within weeks of handover.

Our guide to the off-plan handover process covers each step in detail.

Common Oqood Mistakes

• Paying large instalments before the sale is registered.
• Treating the SPA alone as enough protection.
• Assuming you can resell at any time without checking the developer's minimum-payment rule.
• Losing track of receipts, which you need at handover and for any resale.

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 before the unit is built, and is replaced by a title deed after handover.

How much is the Oqood fee?

The main cost is the 4% DLD fee, paid at Oqood stage. Admin fees vary, with published figures from about AED 1,000 to AED 5,250.

Do I pay the 4% DLD fee again at title deed stage?

No. The 4% is paid once, at Oqood registration. Smaller fees apply when the title deed is issued.

Is Oqood the same as a title deed?

No. Oqood records a purchase of an unfinished unit. The title deed proves ownership of the completed property.

Can I sell my property with only an Oqood certificate?

Usually yes, by transferring the Oqood registration, subject to the developer's resale rules and fees.

Talk to SMS Realty

Buying off-plan? We check that your purchase is registered on Oqood, review the payment plan and escrow, and guide you through handover or resale. Contact SMS Realty.

Sources: Dubai Sotheby's International Realty, Binghatti and Real Estate Club Dubai, which differ on admin fees. This guide is general information, not legal advice.