From reservation to title deed: Oqood, DLD registration and handover in Dubai

The whole path on one page

An off-plan purchase in Dubai runs through five stages, in a fixed order. Each one produces a document, and the documents build on one another until the last, the title deed, which is the proof that the apartment is yours.

Reservation and sale agreement with the developer.
Oqood registration of the sale with the Dubai Land Department.
Payments into the project's escrow account during construction.
Completion of the building, then handover of the keys after inspection.
Issue of the title deed in your name.

An investor in Paris, Dakar or Lagos can complete every stage remotely. Orven handles the coordination with the developer and the DLD; you sign and transfer, and you keep the paperwork.

Stage 1: reservation and sale agreement

You choose the unit and sign a booking form. Shortly after, the developer issues the sale and purchase agreement, the contract that governs the whole transaction. It states the price, the payment plan, the expected completion date, the specifications of the unit and the cancellation terms.

On the Prestige One projects Orven sells, the first payment is 20% of the price at reservation. On Hilton Residences at Dubai Maritime City, for example, the published plan is 20% at reservation, 40% during construction and 40% at handover. The 20% is transferred into the project's escrow account, never to a personal or generic account.

Read the agreement before you sign it. Three clauses deserve your attention: the payment schedule and what triggers each instalment, the completion date and the developer's obligations if it slips, and the cancellation and resale conditions.

Stage 2: Oqood, the off-plan registration

Once the agreement is signed and the first payment received, the developer registers the sale with the DLD in the off-plan register. This registration is called Oqood. It records that the unit is sold to you while the building is under construction.

Oqood carries a fixed fee, confirmed in your contract, and the DLD registration fee of 4% of the price is paid at this stage. The DLD then issues the Oqood certificate, which you should keep with your contract. It is your official proof of purchase until the title deed replaces it at handover, and it is the document a bank or an authority will ask for if you need to prove ownership before completion.

Stage 3: paying through escrow during construction

During construction, your instalments follow the schedule in your agreement. Each payment goes into the project's escrow account, controlled by the DLD, and the developer issues a receipt for each one. Keep every receipt: together with the Oqood certificate, they form your file.

You can follow the building's progress independently through the DLD's Project Status Enquiry service, which publishes the official completion percentage of each registered project. Compare it with the milestones in your contract before paying an instalment tied to progress.

On a plan with no construction instalments, such as Coastal Haven's 20% at reservation and 80% at handover, this stage is quiet on the payment side. Use it to prepare the funds for handover or, if you intend to finance, to assemble your mortgage file so the bank is ready when the building is.

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Stage 4: completion and handover

When the building is complete and the authorities have issued the completion certificate, the developer notifies you and calls the handover share. Before you pay it, or in parallel, the unit is inspected. You, or a representative you appoint, walk through the apartment and list any defects to be fixed. Once the snagging is agreed and the final payment is made, the keys are handed over.

At this stage you also settle the practical matters that come with ownership: connection of utilities, the first service charge invoice from the building's management, and, if you rent out, the handover to your property manager. Orven can coordinate the inspection on your behalf if you are not in Dubai.

Stage 5: the title deed in your name

After handover and once all payments are made, the DLD issues the title deed for your unit. It replaces the Oqood certificate and is the definitive proof of ownership. Your name, the unit, the building and the plot are recorded in the Dubai land register.

Keep the deed with your contract and your receipts. You will need it to rent out, to sell, to apply for a Golden Visa where a purchase of at least 2 million AED opens that right under conditions, or simply to prove ownership to a bank.

Stage	Document you receive	Keep it for
Reservation	Booking form, sale and purchase agreement	The whole life of the property
Registration	Oqood certificate, DLD fee receipt	Proof of purchase until handover
Construction	Payment receipts from the developer	Every later step, and any application
Handover	Completion notice, snagging report, key handover form	Disputes and warranties
Title	Title deed	Ownership, resale, visa applications

See the Hilton Residences page for a live example of an off-plan project sold on this path, or the investor guide for the costs at each stage.

From the first message to the title deed, an Orven adviser stays with you: unit selection, contract review, payment instructions with the correct escrow reference, DLD registration follow-up, handover coordination. Everything runs remotely, in English, French or Arabic. Send your budget on WhatsApp at +971 52 776 1939 or write to sales@orvenproperties.com and we send you the units available today with their published payment plans.

FAQ

How long does the Oqood registration take? The developer files the registration after the agreement is signed and the first payment received. Timing depends on the developer and the DLD; your adviser follows it up and sends you the certificate.

Can I sell the unit before the title deed is issued? Resale before completion is possible on many projects, subject to the developer's conditions and to the DLD's procedure for off-plan transfers. The rules are in your sale agreement.

Who issues the title deed? The Dubai Land Department, once the building is complete, all payments are made and the developer has completed the handover formalities.

Do I have to be in Dubai for the inspection? No. You can appoint a representative, and Orven can coordinate the inspection and report back with photos and the list of defects.

What if I lose a receipt? Ask the developer for a duplicate; each payment into escrow is recorded. Still, keep digital copies of every document from day one.