What is Oqood? Dubai’s off-plan register explained for developers
6 min read · Last updated 1 October 2026
Oqood is the Dubai Land Department’s interim real property register for off-plan sales, established under Law No. 13 of 2008. Every sale and purchase agreement for an off-plan unit is recorded in Oqood, giving the buyer a registered interest before completion. After handover the Oqood record is converted into a title deed.
In this guide
Is Oqood the same as a title deed?
No. Oqood is an interim registration for off-plan property. It becomes a title deed after the project is completed and handed over.
Can an off-plan unit be resold before completion?
Yes, subject to the developer’s policy and payment conditions. The resale is recorded as a transfer in Oqood.
Why Oqood exists
Before Oqood, off-plan buyers had limited protection if a unit was sold twice or a project stalled. The interim register gives each buyer a recorded legal interest in their unit from the day the sale is registered.
How an off-plan sale is registered
- The project is registered with DLD/RERA and Oqood is activated for it.
- The buyer signs the reservation form and then the sale and purchase agreement (SPA).
- The developer, or its consultant, registers the SPA in Oqood and the applicable DLD fee is paid.
- An Oqood certificate is issued for the unit.
What changes during the life of a project
| Event | What happens in Oqood |
|---|---|
| Resale before completion | The unit is transferred to the new buyer, usually after a developer NOC. |
| Unit swap or amendment | The registration is updated to reflect the new unit or terms. |
| Buyer default and termination | After the legal procedure is complete, the registration is cancelled. |
| Completion and handover | The Oqood record is converted into a title deed. |
Fees
DLD charges a registration fee on off-plan sales, commonly paid by the buyer. Fees and admin charges are set by DLD and can change, so check the current schedule before quoting buyers.
Keeping Oqood clean
Most Oqood problems come from records that drift away from the sales and finance systems: a swap that was never registered, a cancellation that was agreed but not filed. Regular reconciliation prevents surprises at handover.
Fifth Consultancy provides Oqood registration and management for developers, from activation to title conversion.
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