The off-plan sale and purchase agreement (SPA) is the main contract between a buyer and a developer for an under-construction property. It sets out the price, payment plan, unit specification, completion expectations and the rights and obligations of both sides.
Where you’ll see it
You’ll sign the SPA after reserving an off-plan unit. It is the document that governs the whole purchase through to handover, and it is the basis for registering the sale in the interim register via Oqood.
Why it matters
The SPA defines what the buyer is actually getting and what protections they have if things slip — delays, specification changes, or default by either side. Reading it carefully before signing is critical, because it controls the relationship for years.
What it is not
The off-plan SPA is not a title deed and not a reservation form — it is the binding purchase contract that sits between them. It is also not the same as a resale contract for a completed unit.
Example
A buyer signs an SPA setting the price, a milestone payment plan and the expected completion, then registers the purchase via Oqood — with the SPA governing what happens if the developer delays.
Connected documents and parties
SPA, payment plan, Oqood registration; buyer, developer, DLD, escrow account.
Going deeper: for reviewing an off-plan contract before signing, see a conveyancing specialist.
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