Off-plan in Dubai is regulated. Every registered project has an escrow account, a percentage-complete figure, and a published status. The Dubai Land Department updates this monthly. The official page is at dubailand.gov.ae and it is the single most useful tool an off-plan buyer has. If you have bought off-plan, checking this page should be part of your monthly routine.
What the page actually shows
Search by developer, project name, or escrow account number. For each project you get:
- Construction completion percentage, updated monthly
- Project status (active, on hold, cancelled, completed)
- Escrow account balance and trustee bank
- Number of registered units, sold units, and remaining inventory
- Original expected completion date and any approved extensions
This is the same data RERA inspectors work from. The page is in English and Arabic. No login required.
Understand the escrow logic first
Before you read the percentage, it helps to know why this data exists at all. UAE law requires the developer to hold off-plan buyers' money in a separate escrow account, not in its own operating account. That account sits under a trustee bank, and the developer can only draw from it as verified construction progress is reached. In plain terms, your money is tied to the construction of your specific project. That is why the completion percentage is not just a reporting number. It is the gate that releases money from escrow. Once you understand that logic, the value of watching this page becomes clear.
How to read the percentage
The percentage moves in non-linear steps. Foundation and slab pours bump the number 10 to 15 percent each. Cladding and MEP can add 20 percent. Snagging and handover prep account for the final 8 to 12. A project that has sat at 62 percent for two quarters is the warning sign, not a project that just jumped from 30 to 48 percent in three months.
If two consecutive monthly updates show no movement, ask the developer in writing for a written status note. Their response time (and the substance of it) tells you what you need to know.
Three statuses that matter
- "Active, on schedule" is what you want. Continue with installments per the SPA.
- "Active, delayed" means RERA has approved an extension. Compare the new completion date to your SPA delay clause. If your contract gives a 12-month delay window and the new completion exceeds it, you may have rescission rights.
- "On hold" or "cancelled" requires immediate action. Contact the developer for the cure plan in writing, and contact RERA via the project status page to confirm what happens to your paid installments under the RERA escrow process.
The red flags to watch
A few signals deserve close attention. A completion percentage that has stayed flat for several months running is the first. A handover date that has been extended more than once is the second. An escrow balance that does not line up with the number of units sold is also worth a question. None of these on its own means certain trouble, but when several show up together, follow up seriously. With off-plan, developer silence and a repeatedly slipping handover date matter more than any glossy brochure.
What to do if your project flags red
Three steps, in order.
- Pull the escrow statement. The trustee bank publishes a quarterly statement to buyers on request. Your paid installments should sit in escrow, not the developer's operating account.
- File a status query through the DLD page directly. This creates a paper trail and forces an official response.
- Engage a real-estate-specialist lawyer if the cure window in your SPA has passed. The RERA-registered process protects buyers, but only when it is invoked. Letters sit in folders; filings get answered.
The off-plan payment plan decoded guide walks through which SPA clauses give you the strongest position when a project slips.
The take
DLD publishes the status. Read it monthly for any off-plan you own. Treat any stagnant project as a yellow flag, any cancellation as a red one. The escrow regulation is good, but it only protects you when you read the data it produces. It takes a few minutes a month, and it can head off a large loss.
Source: Dubai Land Department real-estate project status portal, RERA off-plan oversight framework, escrow trustee statements.
While you track the build, keep the money side honest: the payment plan comparator shows what your remaining installments are really worth.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check my off-plan project status in Dubai?
The Dubai Land Department publishes a live status page for every registered off-plan project at dubailand.gov.ae, updated monthly, with no login required. Search by developer, project name, or escrow account number. It shows the construction completion percentage, project status, escrow balance, units sold, and any approved extensions. If you own off-plan, reading it should be part of your monthly routine.
What is an escrow account in Dubai off-plan?
UAE law requires the developer to hold off-plan buyers' money in a separate escrow account under a trustee bank, not in its own operating account. The developer can only draw from it as verified construction progress is reached, so your money is tied to the construction of your specific project. That is why the completion percentage on the DLD page is not just a reporting number; it is the gate that releases money from escrow.
What are the warning signs in a Dubai off-plan project?
A completion percentage that has stayed flat for several months, a handover date extended more than once, and an escrow balance that does not line up with the number of units sold. A project sitting at 62 percent for two quarters is the warning sign, not one that just jumped from 30 to 48 percent in three months. If two consecutive monthly updates show no movement, ask the developer in writing for a written status note.
What should I do if my off-plan project in Dubai is delayed or cancelled?
First pull the escrow statement from the trustee bank; your paid installments should sit in escrow, not the developer's operating account. Then file a status query through the DLD page to create a paper trail and force an official response. If the status is "active, delayed", compare the new completion date to your SPA delay clause: if your contract gives a 12 month window and the new date exceeds it, you may have rescission rights. The off-plan payment plan guide covers which SPA clauses give you the strongest position.