Escrow and Oqood: how your money is protected
By Dubainary Research · Updated 2026-09-05 · Buying off-plan
In the UAE, off-plan buyer payments go into a project-specific escrow account regulated by the land department, not to the developer directly. Oqood is Dubai's off-plan registration system that records your contract with the authorities.
What an escrow account is
UAE law requires developers to open a dedicated escrow account per project with an approved bank. Your instalments are deposited there and released to the developer only as certified construction milestones are reached. The escrow account number and bank for each project are published by the developer and appear on project pages here where released.
What Oqood is
Oqood is the Dubai Land Department's registration system for off-plan sales. Once you sign the sale and purchase agreement and pay the initial amount, the contract is registered in Oqood, which gives you a registered claim on the unit. Other emirates run equivalent registration systems through their own municipalities.
What to verify before paying
Three checks: the project has a registered escrow account in the project's own name, your payment receipts reference that account, and your contract is registered (Oqood in Dubai) shortly after signing. Never pay into a personal or unrelated company account.
If a project stalls
If a project is cancelled by the authorities, escrow rules require remaining buyer funds to be refunded from the escrow account after liquidation procedures. The process takes time, which is why construction progress and developer track record matter when choosing a project.