What is Oqood in Dubai? Why is it Important & How to Get?

Buying off-plan property in Dubai offers attractive prices and flexible payment plans, but navigating the legal aspects can be tricky. This is where Oqood comes in.

What is Oqood?
Oqood (Arabic for “contracts”) is a government-issued certificate for off-plan property transactions. It serves as proof of ownership during construction, issued by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) through RERA. Once the project is completed, it converts into a title deed, giving full legal ownership.

Why It Matters
Oqood ensures legal recognition of off-plan ownership, prevents duplicate or fraudulent sales, holds developers accountable, and tracks buyer payments and project progress. Without Oqood, a buyer’s ownership claim is not officially recorded, which can lead to disputes.

Who Must Use It
All buyers and developers of off-plan residential, commercial, or mixed-use properties in Dubai must register sales via Oqood. Ready or completed properties use a title deed instead.

How Oqood Differs from a Title Deed
Oqood is a temporary certificate issued during construction, giving provisional ownership and limited rights. A title deed, on the other hand, is issued after project completion and grants full legal ownership, including the right to sell, rent, mortgage, or transfer the property freely.

How to Get Oqood

1. Sign the SPA – your contract with the developer detailing the property, price, and payment plan.
2. Developer Registers Sale – within 90 days via the Oqood portal.
3. Submit Documents & Fees – passport/Emirates ID for individuals, company documents for businesses, and the 4% DLD registration fee plus minor admin fees.
4. Receive Certificate – digitally from the DLD once approved.

Costs Example
For a property worth AED 1,500,000, the total cost of Oqood registration including fees is approximately AED 66,860 (around 4.5% of the property price).

Selling, Canceling, and Handover

• Resale: You can sell your off-plan property with an Oqood certificate, but you need the developer’s approval (NOC) and must pay any applicable fees.
• Contract Cancellation: Buyers may cancel if the developer delays handover, with refunds depending on the stage of construction. Developers may also cancel contracts if buyers default on payments, with refunds or deductions based on completion progress.
• Title Deed Conversion: After full payment and handover, Oqood converts into a title deed, granting full rights to the property.

Buyer & Developer Obligations

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Buyers must pay installments on time, provide accurate documents, and accept handover. Developers must register sales, update buyers, issue NOCs, and deliver the project as approved.

Tips for Buyers

• Verify developer credentials and project approval.
• Confirm Oqood registration timeline and fees.
• Review SPA carefully.
• Track payments against construction milestones.
• Prepare for title deed conversion early.

FAQ Highlights

• Oqood is mandatory for all off-plan purchases in Dubai.
• Certificate issuance usually takes a few days to a couple of weeks.
• Early resale is possible with developer approval and fees.
• Some banks may allow mortgage pre-approval with Oqood, but a title deed is usually required.

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Oqood is a crucial legal safeguard for off-plan buyers in Dubai, ensuring transparency, accountability, and secure ownership. By understanding its process, buyers can protect their investments and smoothly transition from provisional ownership to a full title deed.

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