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Guide Buying off-plan

Off-plan handover & snagging in Dubai

Handover is when an off-plan purchase becomes a home you can live in or let. Here is what happens, in order, and what to check before you sign for the keys.

Updated · 5 min read

Six steps to the keys

From the developer's notice to your title deed.

  1. 01

    Completion notice

    The developer tells you the building is complete and sets out the final payment and the handover process.

  2. 02

    Final payment

    Pay the balance due at handover, in cash or through a mortgage, along with any outstanding fees.

  3. 03

    Snagging inspection

    Inspect the home, yourself or with a snagging company, and list every defect for the developer to fix.

  4. 04

    Fixes and re-check

    The developer repairs the snags. Re-inspect before you sign the handover documents.

  5. 05

    Keys and utilities

    Collect the keys, open your DEWA account and, where the building uses it, register for district cooling.

  6. 06

    Title deed

    Once the price is paid in full, the Oqood registration is converted into a title deed in your name.

Snagging checklist

Room by room, in daylight, with the AC and water running.

Walls and ceilings

  • Cracks, uneven paint and patchy finishes
  • Damp patches or staining near windows and bathrooms

Floors and tiles

  • Cracked, hollow-sounding or uneven tiles
  • Gaps or missing grout and silicone

Doors and windows

  • Doors and windows that stick, rub or don't lock
  • Gaps in seals that let in dust, heat or water

Plumbing

  • Leaks under sinks and around toilets
  • Water pressure and hot water at every tap
  • Drains that empty slowly, including on the balcony

Electrical

  • Every socket, switch and light working
  • Labelled distribution board with nothing tripping

Air conditioning

  • Every unit cooling evenly and quietly
  • No water dripping from units or vents

Kitchen and fittings

  • Cabinets, hinges and drawers aligned
  • Appliances supplied as per the SPA and working

Planning the final payment? See how off-plan payment plans work and the mortgage calculator. Letting it out? Read renting out your property.

General guidance as of October 2026, not legal advice. Handover terms, warranties and fees are set by your SPA and the developer, so read them before you sign.

Handover FAQ

Questions buyers ask at handover.

What is snagging?

Snagging is inspecting a newly built home for defects, from cracked tiles to leaking pipes, before or at handover, so the developer fixes them before you move in or let the home.

Should I hire a snagging company?

It's optional, but many buyers do. A professional inspection uses equipment such as thermal cameras and moisture meters and tends to find more than a walk-through, especially for buyers who live abroad.

What if I find defects after moving in?

Developers in Dubai are responsible for repairing defects in installations for a period after completion, usually one year, and for structural defects for ten years. Report problems in writing as soon as you find them.

When do I get the title deed for an off-plan home?

Once you've paid the full price. The Dubai Land Department converts the Oqood registration into a title deed in your name, usually around handover.

Can I rent out the home straight after handover?

Yes. Once you have the keys and the utilities are connected, you can let it on a yearly tenancy registered on Ejari, or apply for a holiday-home permit for short stays.

Handover coming up?

We'll walk it with you.

Send us the project and your handover date. We'll set out the steps and payments, line up a snagging inspection and keep the developer to the snag list.

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