The thought of getting a brand-new place, with a nice payment plan, feels like a golden opportunity. But when your hard-earned money is on the line, you have got to be smart. You wouldn’t jump into a deep pool without knowing how to swim, right? The same goes for off-plan property. Dubai’s real estate market is active, and it attracts all sorts of developers. Most of them are great, but some might not be as reliable. You don’t want to hand over your cash only to find yourself stuck with endless delays, changes to the plan, or even worse, a project that got cancelled. That’s why it’s super important to “vet” a developer. So, how do you do it? We are going to break down five practical ways to vet a developer before buying off-plan in Dubai. 1. Check Their Track Record A developer’s past projects reveal a great deal about what they are capable of accomplishing. A developer with a long list of completed projects, especially those in well-known and desirable areas, is usually a safe bet. Big names like Emaar or Damac have huge portfolios. If you can, visit some of their older, completed projects. Walk around, inspect the common areas, the finishes in the apartments (if you can gain access), and assess the overall maintenance of the buildings. Sometimes, a quick chat with people who have lived in their past developments can give you honest insights. Online reviews on property portals or social media groups can also offer clues. Check if their past projects were delivered roughly when they said they would be. Delays can be a nightmare. While some delays are almost normal in large construction projects, a pattern of major, consistent delays is a red flag. Some real estate platforms have data on developer delivery records. The Dubai Land Department (DLD) also offers a “Project Status Inquiry” service through their website or the Dubai REST app, where you can check the percentage of completion, expected completion date, and other details for registered projects. 2. DLD and RERA Registration Every legitimate developer in Dubai must be registered with the DLD and RERA. You can easily check this on the DLD’s official website or through the Dubai REST app. Verify their license activity and ensure they have obtained all necessary approvals. If a developer isn’t registered, don’t consider them. A developer who is fully compliant with these bodies shows they are legitimate and serious about their business. Escrow Accounts When you buy off-plan, your payments don’t go directly to the developer’s main bank account. Instead, they must go into a special, protected account called an “escrow account.” RERA supervises these accounts. The money in the escrow account is only released to the developer in stages as construction milestones are met. If the project is delayed or cancelled, your funds will remain safe in the escrow account. Always verify that payments are made to a registered escrow account. If a developer requests direct payments outside of this, don’t make any payments. The DLD’s “Project Status Inquiry” also provides details about the project’s escrow account.