Short answer
- What to check before handover in Dubai, for buyers in Canada: the project's completed status, your unit's measured area, defects, the final balance and the route to a title deed.
- The DLD FAQ says the title deed is issued after the developer registers the completed project and the unit is fully paid.
- Extra area is not charged unless the contract says so; a shortfall beyond 5% must be compensated (DLD FAQ).
- Law No. 8 of 2007, Art. 14 holds back 5% of the escrow balance until a year after units are registered to buyers; the DLD links it to repairing defects.
- Snagging is not legally required, but signing acceptance before defects are acknowledged in writing weakens your position.
What to check before handover: Dubai buyers in Canada
Before taking keys, get four things confirmed in writing: completed status, measured area, a defect list and the final balance. Developers must enter completed projects in the Property Register once certified (Law No. 13 of 2008, Art. 8), and your deed follows only that registration plus full payment.
Typical order of events at handover
Handover checklist (Dubai off-plan) from Canada: the paperwork
Paperwork comes before the walk-through, because it defines what you are signing for.
Phase 1: documents, from home
| Situation | DLD FAQ position | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Unit is larger | Extra area is not charged unless the contract provides for it | Your SPA clause on area changes |
| Unit is up to 5% smaller | No compensation duty stated | Written confirmation of the final area |
| Unit is more than 5% smaller | The developer must compensate | A written compensation calculation |
Snagging before handover (Dubai): Canadian buyers' inspection
Snagging is the walk-round where you record every defect before accepting the unit. No Dubai law makes it compulsory, yet portals advise holding back your signature until the developer acknowledges the defects on paper.
Phase 2: the inspection
…but until this moment, I did not receive the property…
For defects found later, the 5% escrow retention is the backstop. It stays with the escrow bank from completion until twelve months after the units are registered in owners' names.
Which Canadian points matter at handover?
Handover usually brings a trip to Dubai, a large final transfer and possibly new tax reporting, each with a Canadian angle.
Phase 3: after you get the keys
Date moved? See what to do when the handover date changes. Related: the pre-payment progress check, the Service Charge Index guide for Canada, the global handover guide and the Canadian buyers' hub. You can check the project's registry facts at any stage.
When is the Dubai title deed issued after handover?
Do I have to accept handover if my unit is smaller?
Is snagging required before handover in Dubai?
Can the Canadian consulate attend my handover or help with defects?
Related guides
Sources
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws and procedures change; check the official source before acting. Published 12 October 2026, last updated 12 October 2026.