OPAVITA
Owner guide · 2026

Selling an off-plan unit before handover

Reselling off-plan is an assignment of your sale contract, not a title transfer. The developer controls whether it happens, and their rules — not the market — set your timing.

Realistic time to sell
2–10 weeks once the developer issues the NOC. The NOC itself is the bottleneck.

What selling actually costs

Seller cost breakdown for off-plan assignment sales in the UAE, 2026
Developer NOC / assignment feeTypically 2–5% of the original price, sometimes a flat fee
Minimum paid thresholdMost developers require 30–40% of the price paid before allowing assignment
DLD fee on assignment4% of the new sale value, customarily paid by the incoming buyer
Agency commission2% + VAT

Fees are the standard market position; several are negotiable between buyer and seller and should be written into the sale agreement.

Pre-listing checklist

  • Confirm in writing the paid percentage your developer requires before assignment
  • Get the exact NOC fee in writing — it is the single biggest variable in your net
  • Verify the project's DLD construction percentage; buyers will check it
  • Price against current launch prices in the same project, not your entry price

Red flags

  • Agents promising assignment before you meet the developer's paid threshold
  • Buyers asking to pay you directly outside the developer's transfer process
  • Any deal that skips developer consent — the assignment will not be recognised

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Seller questions

Can I sell an off-plan property before handover in Dubai?

Usually yes, once you have paid the developer's minimum threshold — commonly 30–40% — and the developer issues an NOC. The rule is set by the developer within the DLD framework, so check your sale contract.

Other seller situations