What is an off-plan resale (assignment)?
When you buy “off-plan” in Dubai, you are not buying a finished apartment but a purchase contract (Sales and Purchase Agreement, SPA) for a unit that is still under construction. The contract is registered with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) in the Oqood system. In a resale – also called an assignment or off-plan resale – a new buyer steps into your shoes: they take over your rights and obligations under the SPA, including all outstanding instalments.
The requirements
- Your purchase contract permits the transfer. Check the clauses on “assignment”, lock-in periods (often 6–12 months) and fees.
- Minimum amount paid. Most developers only issue the NOC once 30–40% of the purchase price has been paid; some contracts require 50%.
- No outstanding instalments. All payments and fees due must have been settled – this is shown on the developer’s statement of account (SOA).
- The developer approves the new buyer. With the NOC, the developer confirms that it has no objection to the transfer.
The process in 5 steps
- Check your documents: Have your SPA, Oqood certificate and a current SOA ready. These show the amount paid, outstanding instalments and the handover date.
- Set the price and find a buyer: Compare your price with the developer’s current price list and other resales in the same project. A buyer will focus on their entry today – in other words, what they have to pay straight away.
- Agreement (Form F / MOU): Buyer and seller sign the standardised Form F through a RERA-licensed broker, setting out the price, deadlines and how costs are shared.
- Apply for the NOC: The developer checks your account and issues the NOC – within 1–10 working days, depending on the developer. It is usually valid for around 30 days.
- Trustee appointment: At the DLD-registered trustee office, the contract is transferred to the buyer in the Oqood system. You receive your money (usually by manager’s cheque); the buyer pays the DLD fee and takes over the remaining payment plan.
In straightforward cases, the transaction takes 2–4 weeks; from the start of marketing to completion, 4–8 weeks is realistic.
What does a resale cost?
| Item | Amount (as of 2026) | Usually paid by |
|---|---|---|
| DLD registration | 4% of the new purchase price | Buyer (negotiable) |
| Developer NOC | approx. AED 500–5,250 | Seller |
| Developer transfer fee | 0–5% of the original purchase price | Seller |
| Trustee office | AED 4,000 + VAT (AED 2,000 below AED 500,000) | Buyer |
| Broker commission | approx. 2% + 5% VAT | usually the buyer |
Important: the 4% DLD fee is charged again on a resale – calculated on the new total price. You should take this into account when setting your price, because buyers factor these costs in.
Finding the right price – especially in 2026
In 2026, more homes are being handed over in Dubai than ever before – around 27,300 units in the second quarter alone. At the same time, apartment prices have fallen quarter-on-quarter and rents in major communities have dropped by 8–10% (Savills, Q2 2026). For sellers, this means:
- A premium over the original price is only realistic for sought-after projects.
- The key benchmark is the current developer price for similar units: if your offer is below it, buyers have a clear reason to buy from you.
- The closer the handover, the greater the pressure: buyers then have to raise large sums quickly. So start selling early – ideally 4–6 months before the handover payment is due.
Common mistakes
- Missing instalments: If you fall into arrears, you will not get an NOC – and in the worst case you risk the developer terminating the contract.
- Starting too late: Shortly before handover, the pool of buyers is small because many need financing.
- Forgetting the costs: The NOC, transfer fee and, where applicable, broker commission reduce your net proceeds.
- Unprofessional handling: Never make or accept payments privately and in advance – only at the trustee appointment.
Taxes in your country of residence
Gains from the sale may be taxable in your country of residence. If you are tax resident in Germany, gains can be taxable there – for example as a private disposal transaction within the ten-year holding period. The double taxation agreement between Germany and the UAE expired at the end of 2021. Clarify the tax treatment with a tax adviser before you sell.
How PLANSWAP helps
With the free Exit Calculator, you can see in two minutes what you will receive net – compared with holding on and with defaulting. With the Exit Package, we check your documents, create a property brochure in four languages and bring your listing to buyers and RERA-licensed partner brokers.
PLANSWAP is an introduction and information portal and is not itself a real estate broker. Transactions in Dubai are handled exclusively by RERA-licensed partner brokers. All calculations are non-binding estimates without guarantee and do not constitute investment, tax or legal advice. Fees and rules may change and depend on the respective developer.