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How Many Types Of Payment Plans Available In Dubai Real Estate ?

Dubai has become one of the most attractive real estate property markets within the world. With its world-magnificence infrastructure and business-friendly surroundings, many asset buyers are showing their interest in the Dubai market. However, with the extraordinary kinds of properties and payment plans to be had, selecting the proper payment technique can seem complicated. This article explores the various payment plans generally used in Dubai real estate transactions.

Dubai has become one of the most attractive real estate property markets within the world. With its world-magnificence infrastructure and business-friendly surroundings, many asset buyers are showing their interest in the Dubai market. However, with the extraordinary kinds of properties and payment plans to be had, selecting the proper payment technique can seem complicated. This article explores the various payment plans generally used in Dubai real estate transactions.


60/40 Payment Plan

Under the 60/40 payment plan, you need to pay 60% of the price during the construction phase. You can pay this in installments. The remaining 40% of the property price is paid upon handover of the property. This payment plan option offers a greater balanced distribution of bills during the development phase and handover, with roughly equal amounts payable during every stage.


Example:

Here is an example of Sobha Sea Haven 60/40 payment plan:

Installment Payment Milestone
Down Payment 20% On Booking Date
1st Installment 10% Within 9 months from booking date
2nd Installment 10% Within 15 months from booking date
3rd Installment 10% Within 21 months from booking date
4th Installment 10% Within 27 months from booking date
Final Installment 40% On Completion


Popular Projects

Project Name Location Units Available Starting Price Payment Plan Handover Date
Urban Oasis by Missoni at Business Bay, Dubai Business Bay, Dubai Apartments AED 1,300,000 60:40 Q4 2024
Sobha Reserve Villas at Wadi Al Safa 2, Dubailand Wadi Al Safa 2, Dubailand 4 BR, 5 BR Villas AED 7,680,000 20% down, 40% during construction, 40% on handover 2026
Pearl House 3 at JVC, Dubai by Imtiaz Developments Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Studio, 1 BR, 2 BR Apartments AED 630,000 20% down, 40% during construction, 40% on handover Feb 2026
Helvetia Residences at JVC, Dubai Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Studio, 1 BR, 2 BR, 3 BR Apartments, Townhouse, Villas AED 680,000 10% down, 50% during construction, 40% on handover Q1, 2026


70/30 Payment Plan

70/30 payment plan is a common payment plan in Dubai. It allows you to make a smaller upfront payment and finance the remaining balance over time. Here 70 % of property cost in installment and 30% upon completion.

This payment structure is beneficial for investment property buyers. It provides a low barrier to entry, allowing investors to purchase a property with only a third of the funds upfront. They can then utilize the occupied unit as a rental property to generate income. The rental proceeds can be used to cover the subsequent installment payments on the outstanding purchase balance.


Example

Here is an example of 70/30 payment plan of Damac lagoon Views

Installments Payment (%) Milestones
Down Payment 20% On Booking Date
1st to 5th Installment 5% Within 7 months (1% monthly) from booking date
6th Installment 5% Within 8 months from booking date
7th to 11th Installment 5% Within 13 months (1% monthly) from booking date
12th Installment 5% Within 14 months from booking date
13th to 17th Installment 5% Within 19 months (1% monthly) from booking date
18th Installment 5% Within 20 months from booking date
19th to 26th Installment 8% Within 28 months (1% monthly) from booking date
27th Installment 5% Within 29 months from booking date
28th to 30th Installment 3% Within 32 months (1% monthly) from booking date
31st Installment 2% On 80% Completion Milestone
32nd Installment 2% On 90% Completion Milestone
Final Installment 30% On Completion


Popular Projects

Project Name Location Units Available Starting Price Payment Plan Handover Date
DAMAC Lagoon Views Dubai By DAMAC Properties Damac Lagoons, Dubai 1 BR, 2 BR Apartments AED 979,000 70:30 Q1 2027
DAMAC Altitude at Business Bay, Dubai By DAMAC Properties Business Bay, Dubai Studio, 1 BR, 2 BR, 3 BR Apartments, 2 BR Duplex AED 1,180,000 70:30 Q1 2027


40/60 Payment Plan

A 40/60 payment plan is another financing structure available for buying real estate in Dubai. Under this model, the buyer pays 40% of the agreed purchase price through installment payments made prior to receiving the keys/title to the property (known as the handover).

Once the handover is complete and ownership is officially transferred, the remaining 60% balance is then due in full. This final payment secures the property transfer and grants the buyer possession of their new home.

Compared to a standard 70/30 plan, the 40/60 option requires a larger portion of the funds to be paid upfront over time in the pre-handover period. However, it then consolidates the majority of the financial obligation into a single lump sum payment only owed once the buyer can access and reside in the property.

For those who need time to organize their finances but have the means to cover most of the cost shortly after moving in, the 40/60 structure may prove preferable to other alternatives that stretch payments out longer term. It provides flexibility in the funding timeline while still resulting in clear ownership once that final 60% threshold is crossed.


Example

Here is an example of Avenue Residence- 6 40/60 payment plan.

Installments Payment (%) Milestones
Down Payment 15%+4% DLD On Booking Date/ Admin fees within 21 days
1st Installment 3% Within 90 days from booking date
2nd Installment 3% Within 180 days from booking date
3rd Installment 4% Within 270 days from booking date
4th Installment 5% Within 360 days from booking date
5th Installment 5% Within 450 days from booking date
6th Installment 5% Within 540 days from booking date
Final Installment 60% On Handover


Popular Projects

Project Name Location Units Available Starting Price Payment Plan Handover Date
Adeba Azizi Al Jaddaf, Dubai Studio, 1,2,3 Bed Apartments AED 105,000 40:60 Announcing Soon
Avenue Residence 6 Al Furjan, Dubai 1,2,3 Bed Apartments Announcing Soon 40:60 Q2 2025


80/20 Payment Plan

The 80/20 payment plan is a common financing structure utilized by real estate developers in Dubai for off-plan, or pre-construction, property sales.

Under this model, you need to pay 80% of the purchase price in stages throughout the construction period. This provides substantial cash flow support to the developer upfront as building work progresses.

Once construction is complete and handover of the finished unit occurs, the remaining 20% balance is then paid by the buyer. This final payment transfers ownership and delivers possession to the new homeowner.

Compared to standard post-handover payment plans, the 80/20 option shifts a greater portion of financial obligations to the pre-construction phase. This benefits developers through early instalment receipts to fund building costs.


Example:

Here is a 80/20 payment plan example of Emaar Farm Garden

Installments Payment (%) Milestones
Down Payment 10% On Booking Date
1st Installment 10% Within 2 months from booking date
2nd Installment 10% Within 8 months from booking date
3rd Installment 10% Within 14 months from booking date
4th Installment 10% Within 20 months from booking date (Upon 20% Construction Completion*)
5th Installment 10% Within 26 months from booking date (Upon 40% Construction Completion*)
6th Installment 10% Within 31 months from booking date (Upon 60% Construction Completion*)
7th Installment 10% Within 36 months from booking date (Upon 80% Construction Completion*)
Final Installment 20% Upon 100% Construction Completion


Popular Projects

Project Name Location Units Available Starting Price Payment Plan Handover Date
Emaar Farm Gardens The Valley, Dubai 4,5 Bed Villas AED 5,100,000 80:20 Q3 2026
District One West Villas MBR City, Dubai 4,5 Bed Villas / 6,7 Bed Mansions AED 7,500,000 80:20 Q1 2027


50/50 Payment Plan

The 50/50 payment plan is another flexible payment plan which provides home buyers in Dubai with a balanced and straightforward financing option.

Under this model, the purchase price is split evenly between installments during the construction phase and completion payments made after handover.

Specifically, buyers pay 50% of the agreed property value through staged transfers to the developer over the building period. This portion helps ensure adequate funds are delivered upfront to cover material and labor costs as construction moves forward.

Once the unit is fully finished, the developer will then hand over keys and finalize the transaction upon receipt of the remaining 50% balance. Clear ownership is granted to the new homeowner once this final financial obligation is fulfilled.

Compared to other plans that weight payments more heavily before or after possession, the 50/50 approach provides a sensible middle-ground. It offers certainty of timeline and cost to both parties, with installments distributed relatively evenly between the pre- and post-handover stages.


Example

Look at the payment plan of Cello to understand the splitting of 50/50 payment plan.

Installments Payment (%) Milestones
Down Payment 10% On Booking Date
1st Installment 10% Within 60 days from booking date
2nd Installment 10% AT 20% Construction
3rd Installment 10% AT 30% Construction
4th Installment 10% AT 40% Construction
Final Installment 20% On Handover


Popular Projects

Project Name Location Units Available Starting Price Payment Plan Expected Handover
Fairmont Residences Dubai Skyline Al Sufouh, Dubai Fully-furnished 2 & 3 bed apartments, 4 bed sky mansion, 4 bed sky palaces AED 7,500,000 20% down payment, 30% during construction, 50% post handover Q1 2025
Sky Residences Expo City, Dubai South Studios, 1, 2 & 3 bed apartments AED 1797000 10% down payment, 35% during construction, 5% handover, 50% post handover Q4 2026
Avant Garde Residences Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Studios, 1 & 2 bed apartments AED 950,000 10% down payment, 10% after 2 months of booking, 30% in 1% monthly installments for 30 months, 50% post handover Q4 2026
Treppan Living Dubai Islands 1& 3-Bed Apartments, 3 & 4-Bed Duplexes And 4-Bed Penthouses AED 1750000 50:50 Q1, 2026
Cello Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Studios, 1, 2, 3 & 4 bed apartments, 4 bed penthouses AED 588,000 10% down payment, 40% during construction, 50% on handover Q1 2027
Terrazzo Residences Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai 1, 2 & 3 bed apartments AED 950,000 10% down payment, next 10% after 60 days, 20%, 30%, 40% in installments, remaining 50% on handover Q4 – 2025


10/90 Payment Plan

The 10/90 payment plan has emerged as a popular alternative to the widely used 1% monthly payment plan for purchasing properties in Dubai. Under this plan, buyers are only required to pay 10% of the total property value upfront at the time of booking.

The remaining 90% balance can then be paid either on possession of the unit or in monthly installments agreed upon between the buyer and developer. This provides more flexibility and options compared to the 1% installment structure.


Popular Projects

Project Name Location Units Available Starting Price Payment Plan Expected Handover
Emaar Avonlea Rashid Yachts & Marina, Dubai 1,2,3 bed apartments AED 1,600,000 10:90 plan, 10% down payment Q4 2027
Emaar Bayline Rashid Yachts & Marina, Dubai 1,2,3 bed apartments, 3 bed duplexes AED 1,600,000 10:90 plan, 10% down payment Q4 2027


Post-Handover Payment Plan

A post-handover payment plan, as the name suggests, refers to a financing structure where the buyer receives ownership of the property after paying a certain initial percentage as down payment. The remaining balance can be paid in monthly installments even after moving into the home.

Typically, developers ask for 5% – 20% initially at the time of booking and another 10% – 15% on signing the sale agreement. The balance amount is paid in installments over 3 to 5 years after receiving the keys. Interest rates are fixed and processing is fast compared to traditional mortgages.


Eligible Property Types

Most developers in Dubai offer post-handover plans for both ready properties as well as those under construction or in the pre-launch stage. This includes apartments, townhouses, villas as well as commercial units. Penthouses and high-floor units also come with the flexibility of post-handover financing.

Some of the prominent developments like Emaar, Damac and others have entire payment plan sections on their websites where you can select the one that suits them best. The eligibility depends on the location, size, and value of the chosen property.


Types of Percentage

The ratio of this payment plan isn’t fixed and varies from one builder to another. However, you can often find the plan in the following ratio:

  • 10:90
  • 20:80
  • 40:60
  • 50:50
  • 60:40
  • 70:30
  • 25:75


Benefits for Buyers

There are several advantages of opting for a post-handover payment plan:

  • Option to own a property with a low down payment and invest cash elsewhere. This is ideal for those unable to afford large upfront payments.
  • Move into your dream home and pay the rest of your rental income while enjoying tax benefits. No renting out your new place is required.
  • Flexible monthly installments are better planned than lump sum amounts at the time of handover.
  • Interest on buying property this way works out cheaper than renting over the long term. Once paid off, owning provides ongoing value appreciation.
  • For units under construction, plans ensure pre-booking at lower rates compared to later stage payments. Developers also share construction-linked risks.
  • Processes are faster and require lesser documentation than conventional mortgages. Plans provide instant home ownership.


Things To Consider

While post-handover plans make owning aspirational properties possible, there are certain aspects you need to scrutinize:

  • Check penalties for late/missed payments as they tend to be high for these plans. Non-payment could result in legal action.
  • Explore if pre-closure of the plan is allowed if one wishes to sell the property before full payment. Associated charges may apply.
  • Interest levied is generally above average mortgage rates to offset risks for developers. Do cost comparisons.
  • Plans are usually for 3-5 years only. Ensure monthly installments don’t burden cash flows in the long-term.
  • Look into terms like deferment during unemployment or re-calculations for appreciation/depreciation in value.
  • Projects may be delayed affecting projected rental yields as plans typically rely on it for re-payment.


RTO Payment Plan

A rent-to-own or RTO fee plan is a contractual agreement between a buyer and seller where the buyer’s month-to-month rent payments move toward purchasing the property in the end.


Here’s a simplified evaluation of how it really works:

  • You enter into a lease agreement for a specific property for an agreed rental amount and contract period, usually 2-5 years.
  • Your monthly rental payments are higher than normal market rents, but a portion (e.g. 50-70%) goes into an escrow account or is used to pay down the mortgage.
  • After the agreement duration, you have the choice to purchase the property. The equity gathered in escrow from your apartment bills counts toward your down payment.
  • You take out a mortgage to repay the closing stability and complete the acquisition.

Essentially, an RTO plan splits the property purchased into ranges – a rental period in which you’re constructing fairness, observed by way of assuming possession through a conventional mortgage. It spreads the expenses of purchasing over a longer period.


Who Are RTO Schemes Ideal For?

While the proposition of paying rent now and owning the home later seems universally appealing, Rent To Own schemes work best for certain profiles:

  • New expat arrivals: RTO allows settling into Dubai’s housing market without a large initial commitment for new arrivals still gaining stability.
  • Salaried individuals: Stable monthly income facilitates reliable rent payment for the lock-in period despite income fluctuations.
  • Small business owners: Entrepreneurs often struggle to get mortgage finance approved due to inconsistent revenues. RTO schemes offer them respite.
  • Retirees: Those looking to settle down in Dubai post-retirement find RTO flexibility more suitable to balance savings and ownership costs during transition.

However, RTO carries a higher risk for people with the possibility of near-term relocation or job loss. Overall assessment of individual financial circumstances and risk appetite is vital.


Which Type of Property Investment is Best Suited for RTO route?

While most Rent To Own schemes center around apartments, different property types carry varied pros and cons:

  • High-rise apartments: Offer community living but can suffer from quality deficiencies in some buildings
  • Townhouses: Balance communal facilities with private identity but limited supply makes options scarce
  • Villas: Standalone luxury but require large budgets and suit those settling long term

New off-plan properties usually don’t feature on RTO at the launch stage when buyer demand is high anyway. So choices would need to be made from already completed options in the market.


Fees for Rent-to-Own Schemes in Dubai

As per the Dubai Land Department, the following are the fees to be expected while entering into the rent-to-own schemes in Dubai.

For Seller: 2% of the sale price

For Buyer:

  • 2% of the sale price
  • AED 250: Title Deed issuance fees
  • Map Issuance Fees (Varies based on the type of property)
  • 0.25% of the rent amount
  • AED 10: Knowledge Fee
  • Registration Fees: AED 4,000 for properties equal to or exceeding AED 500k or AED 2,000 for properties priced at less than AED 500k


Benefits of an RTO Payment plan

RTO plans offer numerous benefits over traditional property purchases for each customer and dealer:

For Buyers:

  • Build equity gradually without a huge lump sum down payment
  • Sufficient time to improve credit score score and save for closing costs
  • Opportunity to put money into an appreciating asset from day one
  • Lock in purchase price to take advantage of future marketplace increases
  • Test out ownership responsibilities before financial commitment

For sellers:

  • Access a new pool of buyers unable to purchase conventionally
  • Ensure long-term tenants who have ownership incentives
  • Guaranteed sale as soon as apartment duration is over
  • Maintain stable cash flow from higher rents vs traditional lease


Considerations when getting into an RTO

While RTO plans make homes extra low-cost, it is nevertheless a chief lengthy-term economic duty. Here are some key issues:

  • Higher overall payments: Rent and ultimate purchase charge will likely be higher than traditional alternatives.
  • Market risks: Appreciation or depreciation influences your equity and final buy charge.
  • Credit test: Ability to qualify for a mortgage at buy desires assessed in advance.
  • Repairs and preservation: Responsibility frequently falls on renter for the duration of rent period.
  • Fees and further expenses: Transfer fees, appraisal fees additionally aspect in final fee.
  • Breach penalties: Failure to buy can bring about misplaced choice cash or different damages.

Doing thorough due diligence on the property and RTO settlement terms is vital earlier than signing up to keep away from future surprises. An skilled actual property attorney can help as properly.


1 % Payment Plan

Beside the above mentioned plan, the 1% payment plan is a very popular payment plan in Dubai. It allows buyers to purchase a property by paying 1% of the purchase price as a monthly installment until the full amount has been paid off.

For example, if you buy an apartment worth AED 1,000,000, your monthly payment would be AED 10,000 (1% of AED 1,000,000) spread over up to 100 monthly installments or approximately 8 years.

This drastically reduces the upfront cash commitment compared to the more traditional options of paying 20-30% as a down payment and taking a mortgage for the rest at a much higher interest rate.


How Does it Work?

Typically, large real estate developers in Dubai offer the 1% payment plan for specific projects to boost off-plan sales. They partner with banks or financial institutions that provide fund the purchase.


Here are the basic steps involved:

You select a property from an eligible project and sign an agreement with the developer and partner bank.

  • You pay a nominal booking amount upon signing.
  • You then pay 1% of the purchase price as the monthly installment.
  • Upon paying around 50% of the price, you receive the title deed providing ownership rights.
  • Payments continue at 1% of the price each month until it is fully cleared.

The key difference versus rent-to-own schemes is that under the 1% plan, you become the legal owner right away instead of just a renter with an option to buy later. You also do not pay any rent – just the 1% installment until the price is paid in full.


Benefits of the 1% Payment Plan

For Buyers:

  • Low Entry Point: The minimal 5-10% booking amount makes for an extremely accessible way to purchase investment property in Dubai.
  • Extended Payments: Stretching payments over construction means funds aren’t due all at once. Buyers can pay in steps from periodic income.
  • Hedge Inflation: As installments are milestone-based rather than interest-charged, the plan helps protect from property price hikes over the 2-3 year build period.
  • Rental Returns: There’s an opportunity to generate ongoing rental income from day one by furnishing units for lease after booking, offsetting installment costs.
  • Mortgage Access: Upon handover, buyers can use the completed unit as mortgage collateral to fund the final payment through a competitive bank loan.


For Developers:

  • Upfront Sales: The low booking commitment drives quicker off-plan sales velocity. Early funding supports embarking construction on schedule.
  • Cash Flow: Regular installments provide predictable cash injection aligned with project progress and costs incurred. Less reliance on bank financing.
  • Sales Volume: More listings sell faster with buyers able to commit on minimal initial payment. Higher turnover grows scale and market reputation.
  • Customer Loyalty: Installment-paying clients have vested interest in project success, creating positive word of mouth for future launches.


Key Things to Consider

While an attractive purchase option, buyers must do their due diligence and factor in certain important aspects:

  • Property Value Fluctuations: Appreciation is not guaranteed and property prices can decrease over the long tenure of repayments.
  • Rental Income Reliability: For investment properties, analyze vacancy rates, rental yields, and property management expenses to ensure positive cash flows.
  • Hidden Developer or Bank Charges: Thoroughly review all documents for any potential future additional costs.
  • Late Payment Penalties: Clarify policies in case you are temporarily unable to make monthly payments.
  • Interest Rate Risk: Fixed rate plans offer certainty but floating rates can increase EMI burdens substantially.
  • Developer Financial Strength: Check the credibility and financial health of the developer backing the project.
  • Opportunity Cost of Capital: Weigh if funds would generate better returns elsewhere during the 8-10 year payback period.

With prudent research and budget planning based on one’s goals and risk profile, the 1% payment plan can be a very smart long-term investment decision. But it also requires diligence, commitment and patience.


Popular Projects

Developer Project Location Property Types Starting Price
Danube Properties Danube Eleganz Jumeirah Village Circle Studio, 1-bed, 2-bed apartments AED 1.23 Million
Danube Properties Danube Elitz2 Jumeriah Village Circle Studio, 1-bed, 2-bed apartments AED 600,000
Danube Properties Danube Lawnz International City phase 1 Studio, 1-bed, 2-bed apartments AED 290,000
Danube Properties Danube Resortz Arjan Studio, 1-bed, 2-bed apartments AED 505,000
Danube Properties Danube Bayz101 Business Bay Studio, 1-bed, 2-bed apartments AED 1.175 Million
Emaar Properties Emaar Greenway Emaar South Apartments and Villas Announcing Soon
MAG Lifestyle Development MAG City of Arabia City of Arabia Studio, 1-bed, 2-bed, 3-bed apartments AED 660,000
MAG Lifestyle Development MAG Dubai South Dubai South Studio, 1-bed, 2-bed, 3-bed apartments AED 325,000
Azizi Developments Azizi Venice Dubai Studio, 1-bed, 2-bed apartments AED 545,000


Conclusion

With options like cash payments, bank financing, installment plans for ready or under-construction properties, Dubai real estate caters to both retail and institutional investors. While the most feasible alternative depends on individual budgets, goals and risk profiles, exploring all available options is recommended before finalizing investments. Proper due diligence and understanding terms can help navigate the different payment modes smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most popular payment method plan for residential properties in Dubai is 20% down payment with 80% mortgage. Buyers pay 20% of the property value upfront and take a loan from banks for the remaining 80%.

Yes, paying the full property value upfront in cash is an option. However, most buyers prefer bank financing as it allows them to use funds for other purposes rather than blocking the entire amount.

Yes, developers and some brokers offer installment payment plans where buyers can pay in fixed monthly or quarterly installments over 1-3 years. Interest is usually charged on reducing balances.

While cash remains the most preferred method, payments through cheques or bank transfers are also accepted. You will need to check with your developer or broker on their preferred modes.

Under the profit payment plan, you pay a small initial amount and the rest from the rental income or re-sale profits when you sell. It allows owning a property with little upfront investment but comes with risks.

Banks typically finance only up to 70-80% of the property value. For higher-value properties, you may need to arrange part financing from other sources to bridge the down payment gap.

For off-plan purchases, it is common to pay 5-10% initially and rest in instalments linked to construction milestones over 2-4 years until completion of the project.

Besides the property price, buyers also need to budget for registration fees, transfer charges and 5% VAT on property value if applicable which are paid along with instalments.

Yes, developers impose late payment fines usually in the range of 1-3% per month on delayed instalments. Prolonged delays could also risk cancellation of purchase contracts.

While developers allow switching to a better plan in some cases subject to charges, most resale transactions do not provide flexibility once the sale agreement is signed.

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