You can sell an apartment in Dubai before it is built, but not at any moment and not on any terms. An investor who contacted me recently wanted to sell an apartment he had paid 30% on, and these are the things we went through.
When you can sell
Many developers allow a resale only after a certain share of the price has been paid, usually between 30% and 40%, sometimes more. The threshold is written in your sale and purchase agreement (SPA).
The steps
- Check the threshold in your contract, and make sure there are no payment arrears.
- Keep paying according to the plan while you look for a buyer. Arrears can delay the approval.
- Sign a registered sale agreement with the buyer (Form F).
- The developer reviews your account and issues a no objection certificate (NOC), sometimes for a fee.
- The transfer is done at a Land Department registration trustee office, and the buyer is registered in Oqood.
The costs
- A 4% Land Department fee on the new price, usually paid by the buyer (see the costs guide).
- The developer's NOC fee, which varies by developer.
- Trustee office fees.
- Agent commission, if any.
What to know
- No one can promise how long it will take to find a buyer, or at what price. Sellers under pressure usually sell at a discount.
- If the property has a mortgage, the bank also has to approve.
Sources
- Payment threshold, developer NOC, Form F, trustee office and costs: Binghatti, Place Overseas, UAE Expert Hub.
- The story: my own experience with an investor who contacted me in 2026.
This is general information. The binding terms are in your contract and in the developer's policy.
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