The timeline of an off-plan purchase, from reservation to keys
The milestones between reserving an off-plan unit and receiving the keys in Dubai, illustrated with the Hilton Residences 20/40/40 payment structure. Every date is confirmed at contract, never estimated here.
A purchase with milestones, not a single closing date
Buying a completed home usually has one closing date. Buying off-plan in Dubai is a sequence of milestones spread over the construction period, each triggering a specific payment or a specific document. Knowing the sequence in advance, rather than discovering each step as it happens, is what separates a calm off-plan purchase from a stressful one. Hilton Residences Dubai Maritime City, with its published 20% on booking, 40% during construction and 40% on handover structure, is a useful project to map the sequence against.
Stage 1: reservation and the first payment
The sequence starts with a reservation form and the first payment, which for Hilton Residences represents 20% of the price. This payment is transferred to the project's escrow account, controlled by the DLD, not to the developer directly. Read what a reservation fee (EOI) is if this is your first time reserving off-plan.
Stage 2: the sales and purchase agreement and Oqood registration
Shortly after reservation, you sign the sales and purchase agreement, the SPA, which sets out the unit specification and the full payment schedule. The developer then registers the sale under Oqood, the DLD's off-plan registration system, which is the formal record that you hold an interest in that specific unit before the building is complete. Read what Oqood is for how this registration works.
Stage 3: payments during construction
For Hilton Residences, 40% of the price is due during the construction period, typically released across milestones tied to progress on site, confirmed in your SPA rather than on a fixed calendar date. This is also the period when it makes sense to request periodic updates rather than assume silence means delay.
| Stage | What happens | Confirmed by |
|---|---|---|
| Reservation | 20% booking payment, escrow account opened for the project | Reservation form, escrow reference |
| SPA and Oqood | Contract signed, sale registered with the DLD | Signed SPA, Oqood certificate |
| Construction | 40% paid across milestones during the build | SPA payment schedule |
| Handover | Final 40% paid, keys and snagging inspection | Handover notice, snagging report |
| Title deed | Ownership registered in your name | Title deed from the DLD |
Stage 4: handover, snagging and the final payment
The final 40% for Hilton Residences is due at handover, alongside the snagging inspection that checks the finished unit against its contracted specification. Read the Dubai property handover checklist for what this stage involves in detail, including the defect reserve period and when service charges begin.
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Stage 5: title deed registration
Handover and title registration are two separate events. The title deed is issued by the DLD once the building reaches practical completion and your final payment clears. This is the document that makes you the registered owner, not the handover letter or the keys themselves.
Dates are confirmed at contract, not estimated in this guide
No specific delivery date appears in this timeline because none is confirmed for publication here. The sequence of milestones is fixed; the calendar dates attached to each one are set out in your SPA and should be confirmed by your adviser before you reserve.
Where delays typically enter the sequence
If a purchase runs longer than expected, the added time is more often on your side of the process than the developer's: gathering source-of-funds documentation, waiting on a bank's international transfer processing time, or a slow response to a document request. Preparing your documents ahead of reservation, as covered in the due diligence checklist before reserving off-plan, removes the delays that are within your control before the timeline even starts.
Keeping your own copy of every milestone document
At each stage in this timeline, a specific document is issued: the reservation form, the SPA, the Oqood certificate, the snagging report, and finally the title deed. Keep a copy of each as it arrives rather than assuming your adviser or the developer will hold it indefinitely on your behalf. This becomes particularly useful if you resell the unit later or need to demonstrate ownership history for any reason.
Walking through the sequence for your own purchase
Every project has the same broad sequence, but the exact split and the milestone dates differ. Send the project you are considering, whether Hilton Residences or another in the selection, on WhatsApp at +971 52 776 1939, or write to sales@orvenproperties.com, and an adviser will map the current schedule against this timeline before you reserve.
FAQ
How long does the whole process take, from reservation to keys? The overall duration depends on the project's construction schedule, confirmed in your SPA. Ask your adviser for the current estimated handover window for the specific unit you are considering.
Is the 20/40/40 structure the same for every project in the selection? No. Hilton Residences publishes 20% booking, 40% construction and 40% handover. Other projects in the selection use different structures, confirmed at contract stage.
What happens if a construction milestone is delayed? Payment due dates tied to milestones typically shift with the construction schedule. Read what happens if the developer is late for how this is handled.
Do I need to be in Dubai for any of these stages? No. Reservation, signing, payments and even the snagging inspection can be handled remotely, with your adviser or a representative attending on your behalf where needed.
ORVEN PROPERTIES
Talk to an Orven adviser
Leave your number: an adviser calls you back or replies on WhatsApp, in your language. No commitment.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the whole process take, from reservation to keys?
The overall duration depends on the project's construction schedule, confirmed in your SPA. Ask your adviser for the current estimated handover window for the specific unit you are considering.
Is the 20/40/40 structure the same for every project in the selection?
No. Hilton Residences publishes 20% booking, 40% construction and 40% handover. Other projects in the selection use different structures, confirmed at contract stage.
What happens if a construction milestone is delayed?
Payment due dates tied to milestones typically shift with the construction schedule. Read [what happens if the developer is late](/guides/what-happens-if-the-developer-is-late-in-dubai/) for how this is handled.
Do I need to be in Dubai for any of these stages?
No. Reservation, signing, payments and even the snagging inspection can be handled remotely, with your adviser or a representative attending on your behalf where needed.
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