What is Oqood registration for off-plan property in Dubai?

Oqood (Arabic for “contracts”) is the Dubai Land Department’s official registration system for off-plan property purchases. When you buy off-plan, your Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) is registered in Oqood - this becomes your legal proof of ownership before the building is complete.

What Oqood registration gives you:

• Official DLD registration of your off-plan purchase
• Legal standing as the registered purchaser in DLD records
• Proof of ownership prior to title deed issuance
• Protection under UAE property law

The registration fee: 4% of the purchase price - the same as the DLD transfer fee for ready property. This is payable at the time of Oqood registration, typically within 30 days of signing the SPA.

What happens at handover: When the building completes and the developer receives the Completion Certificate from Dubai Municipality, your Oqood registration converts to a full title deed issued by the DLD. At this point you become a full freehold owner with all associated rights.

Why it matters: An Oqood registration is legal and valid, but it is not a title deed. There are implications:

• Golden Visa: Oqood does NOT qualify. You need a full title deed.
• Mortgage refinancing: Banks lend against Oqood-registered property for construction, but you cannot refinance on standard ready-property terms until title deed is issued.
• Resale: You can sell your Oqood-registered property (called “assignment of SPA”) but the process and market are different from selling ready property.

If your SPA is not Oqood-registered, you have no official legal standing with the DLD. Always confirm registration with your developer. You should receive a copy of the Oqood certificate - if you don’t, ask for it.

Questions about your off-plan purchase documentation?