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Off-Plan Handover Delays? Here’s What You Need to Know

  • June 10, 2025

Off-plan properties present a great future for investment returns and give you flexible options for your home-buying journey. While the benefits are obvious, the handover delays can be a common hassle, especially if you’re unaware of how to tackle construction challenges, financial delays, and how to communicate with the developer and the broker.

In this blog, we will talk about the most common mistakes investors make and what strategies you need to consider to avoid delays in your off-plan project.

Off-Plan Property Delay: Why is it common?

All about Off-Plan Handover Delays

Since Off-plan and every procedure related to it is a process by itself, it can encounter various challenges. The main causes of delays include: 

  • Construction delays: Sudden shortage of labor, infrastructural concerns, and a change of plans could pose as a culprit for your off-plan construction process
  • Financial crises: Developers may encounter problems with financing, such as delays in paying the contractor on time.  
  • Approval pending: A whole set of regulations must be followed for a clean, off-plan property buying procedure. Therefore, delays in application, setting up the necessary permits, and disagreements on timelines with the authorities can interfere with the permit approval process.
  • Developer irresponsibility: Developers who fail to keep up with the project requirements or lack experience could be the ultimate problem. 

Off-Plan Property Delay: How to Handle the Crisis? 

Taking precautionary measures when handling off-plan property projects will help you minimize stress and take control of your investment decisions. These essential steps include:

  • On-site property evaluation: Off-plan doesn’t mean you can sit back and let the construction process unfold on its own. You will need to visit the site in person frequently to gain insight into the current construction scenario, observe the progress made, and ensure you have clear communication with your developer and the Dubai Land Department about the project completion and timeline. Additionally, make sure to document the state of the site and the progress during each visit.
  • Come to a common understanding with your developer: Often overlooked, having clear and direct communication with the developer is crucial. This ensures that your developer knows what they are doing and how they are implementing practical solutions that meet your preferences. For example, if you want to replace a regular tub with a freestanding tub, it’s essential to discuss with the developer the necessary adjustments to the plumbing and whether they are feasible for the building. For more clarification, you may also file a claim with the Dubai First Instance Court or consult a personal lawyer to handle the delays.
  • In case of cancellation: It’s important to know whether the project has been officially cancelled by RERA (the Real Estate Regulatory Agency). Whether the project is still active, paused, or cancelled, understanding the legal frameworks evaluates the rights and protects your investment legally. Therefore, if the developer fails to meet deadlines, is financially unreliable, and has made serious violations, it may undergo cancellation.

Note: Once RERA officially cancels a project, the case moves to the Real Estate Cancelled Projects Committee for the rights and settlements process.

|| Explore: Buy Off-Plan Property in Dubai: The 5 Golden Rules for Successful Property Investment ||

What you need to know when buying an off-plan property?

handling off-plan delays

Knowing your rights as an off-plan buyer and learning how to protect your investment is crucial. Therefore, the important steps you need to take include the following:

  • Make sure your property is authorized or licensed by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) and registered with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) in compliance with UAE legal regulations.
  • Choose a developer who provides flexibility in payments with incentives and according to the post-handover payment plan. These payment plans for buying property will give you the financial flexibility required until the project is completed.
  • Make sure the property under construction is registered with the Interim Property Registry, known as the Oqood system. This registration helps protect your legal rights and recognizes your investment as a valuable sale.
  • Research and evaluate the developer’s professional background, reputation and investment portfolio.

But why deal with all this on your own when you can rely on the best real estate experts to assist you?

Get in touch with one of our real estate experts at AZCO to find the best off-plan projects from the top developers. With AZCO, you can feel confident that your off-plan property investment is in good hands.

|| Also Read: Comprehensive Guide to Buying Dubai Off-Plan Property for Sale ||

NOTE: Please be advised that all information presented in this blog may be subject to changes based on government decisions. The content provided here is intended for informational purposes only.

Final thoughts

Off-plan properties and handover crises can be managed and approached correctly. That’s why it is important to always check your developer’s reliability and payment criteria in detail before deciding on any off-plan project. 

So, keep these points in mind when purchasing an off-plan property or dealing with significant handover challenges. 

Explore the latest Featured Off-Plan Project here.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the documents required for an off-plan resale?

Important documents required include No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the developer, Original Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA), Proof of Payment to the developer (including payment schedule) Buyer’s and Seller’s Identification Documents (passport and Emirates ID)

2. What happens if you can’t pay your off-plan property in Dubai?

If the buyer fails to make payments, the developer has the right to terminate the sales agreement. Additional penalties or charges may also apply.

3. What is oqood meaning?

Oqood means “contracts” in Arabic, which is the term used for  Dubai’s real estate registration system for off-plan properties.

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