What if I change my mind before signing the SPA?

You can withdraw before signing the sale and purchase agreement, but whether your reservation payment is refunded, and how much of it, depends on the developer's specific terms, not a fixed Dubai-wide rule. Check this before you pay, not after you want to withdraw.

16 September 2026 · By Orven Properties · 2 min read

You can withdraw from a purchase at any point before signing the sale and purchase agreement, since the SPA is what creates the binding contract with the developer. What happens to your reservation payment if you do withdraw, whether it is refunded in full, partially, or not at all, depends entirely on the specific developer's terms, which is why this is a question to ask before you pay a reservation fee, not after you decide to change your mind.

Why the answer is not the same across developers

Some developers structure the reservation payment (EOI) as fully refundable if you withdraw before signing, treating it as a good-faith deposit rather than a commitment. Others apply an administrative fee, or treat part of the reservation payment as non-refundable once it has been paid, particularly if the unit was held off the market for you. Our guide on is the 20% booking payment refundable covers this specific question across the projects in our selection.

What to confirm before you pay a reservation

Before sending any reservation payment, ask your advisor for the developer's written refund policy for that specific project: what percentage, if any, is refundable, how long a refund takes to process, and whether the policy differs if you withdraw for a documented reason versus simply changing your mind. Getting this in writing removes any ambiguity later.

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What happens after you decide to withdraw

If you do withdraw before the SPA, your advisor communicates this to the developer on your behalf and follows up on whatever refund applies under that project's terms. Our guide on what a reservation fee (EOI) is explains how this payment fits into the overall sequence, which helps clarify what you are, and are not, committing to at this stage.

How Orven protects you on this point

We confirm the refund terms for a project in writing before you pay anything, precisely so there are no surprises if your plans change. Write to us on WhatsApp at +971 52 776 1939 or at sales@orvenproperties.com with the project you are considering, and we get the developer's specific terms confirmed for you.

FAQ

Is my reservation payment always refundable if I withdraw? Not always; refund terms are set by each developer and can range from fully refundable to non-refundable, confirmed before you pay.

Do I owe anything if I withdraw before the SPA? Generally no additional amount beyond what you have already paid, but some developers apply an administrative fee, confirmed in the reservation terms.

How long does a refund typically take if one applies? This varies by developer; ask for the expected timeframe in writing before you reserve.

Can Orven negotiate refund terms with the developer for me? Orven can raise your situation with the developer, but the refund policy itself is set by the developer, not by Orven.

Frequently asked questions

Is my reservation payment always refundable if I withdraw?

Not always; refund terms are set by each developer and can range from fully refundable to non-refundable, confirmed before you pay.

Do I owe anything if I withdraw before the SPA?

Generally no additional amount beyond what you have already paid, but some developers apply an administrative fee, confirmed in the reservation terms.

How long does a refund typically take if one applies?

This varies by developer; ask for the expected timeframe in writing before you reserve.

Can Orven negotiate refund terms with the developer for me?

Orven can raise your situation with the developer, but the refund policy itself is set by the developer, not by Orven.