THE BUYER'S NOTEBOOK · 01
Property payment plans:
12 questions before you commit.
A payment percentage is a starting point. The full picture includes dates, fees, handover terms and the money you will need at each stage.
Start with the written schedule.
A label such as “60/40” does not give you every due date or explain the contract. Ask how the developer defines the split, whether the booking amount is included, and which charges are additional. Compare the actual payment schedules for the specific units you are considering.
01Get the complete price
Which exact unit and offer am I comparing?
Record the project, phase, unit, size, currency and date of the quotation. Confirm that this unit is still available.
What is included in the advertised price?
Request a written breakdown of the price, purchase taxes, registration, legal costs and any other charges. Mark unknown amounts clearly.
Do the payments add up?
List every instalment, including the reservation amount. Check whether the deposit counts toward the price and whether fees sit outside the payment plan.
What will ownership cost after purchase?
Ask about service charges, maintenance, insurance, management and local taxes. Keep recurring costs separate from the purchase price.
02Put the payments on a calendar
What triggers each payment?
Ask whether instalments fall on fixed dates or construction milestones. Record the amount, deadline and evidence required for each one.
How much is due at handover?
Identify the final balance and related fees. If borrowing is part of your plan, confirm the lender's conditions before relying on future finance.
What if handover is delayed?
Separate the advertised target from the contractual terms. Have an independent lawyer explain notices, remedies and whether payment dates move.
How does currency conversion change my budget?
Work out the home-currency cost of each instalment, including transfer charges. Consider how a less favourable exchange rate would affect it.
03Check the evidence before committing
Who is receiving my money?
Independently verify the contracting entity, project registration and payment instructions. Ask what escrow or other buyer protection applies locally.
What can I own and how can I use it?
Check ownership rights and any restrictions on foreign buyers, rentals or resale with a qualified local professional.
What happens if my circumstances change?
Review cancellation, late-payment and assignment terms, including charges. Establish what happens if you cannot make an instalment.
What still needs written confirmation?
Collect the current offer, payment schedule, contract, location information and handover terms. Give unresolved questions to your independent adviser.
A WORKED EXAMPLE
Turn the percentage into an amount.
Suppose a property price is AED 1,000,000 and its written schedule specifies the following split. These are invented teaching figures, with no connection to an available property or a current exchange rate.
| Stage | Share of price | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Booking, included in the price | 10% | AED 100,000 |
| During construction, across scheduled instalments | 50% | AED 500,000 |
| At handover | 40% | AED 400,000 |
| Total price | 100% | AED 1,000,000 |
The 60% paid before handover includes the 10% booking payment in this example. Adding booking again would double-count it. Obtain the individual construction payment dates and add all applicable fees to your budget.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Bring better questions to your shortlist.
Use the printable worksheet for each property. Then explore our current UAE directory or speak with us about the information you still need.
Further reading
This checklist is an educational aid. Local laws, contracts and tax rules differ; use qualified independent advisers for a particular purchase. The UK guide below provides general overseas-buying questions, not country-specific advice for Canadian buyers.