After signing the Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA), the next important step in buying property in Dubai is the Agreement of Property Sale. This document is essential for registering the transaction and obtaining the official registration certificate (Oqood).

What is the Agreement of Property Sale?

The Agreement of Property Sale is an official document that a developer sends to the buyer after the SPA is signed. It outlines all transaction details and serves as the basis for registering the property with government authorities.

Steps in the Process

1. Document Delivery to the Buyer:

• The developer sends the Agreement of Property Sale to the buyer for review and signature.

2. Registration with state authorities:

• Once signed, the developer submits the document to the relevant government authority, typically the Dubai Land Department (DLD).
• The authority reviews the document and registers the transaction.

Upon successful registration, the buyer receives the Oqood certificate.

It’s important to note that the registration process varies across Emirates:

• For example, In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, registration occurs after the down payment and SPA signing.
• In Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, it typically happens upon key handover.

This difference allows investors in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah to pay the tax later or even resell the property during construction without paying the registration fee.