When you buy off-plan in Dubai, your payments don’t go directly to the developer’s pocket. They go into an **escrow account** tied to the project. **How it works** - The developer opens an escrow account with a bank for the project. - Your instalments (booking, down payment, milestones) are paid into this account. - Funds are released to the developer only when certain conditions are met — typically construction milestones approved by RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Agency). - This protects you: if the project stalls, the money in escrow is not simply handed over to the developer. **What to check** - Your SPA and payment schedule should refer to the escrow account and the project’s RERA registration. - You can verify project status and escrow on the [Dubai Land Department](https://dubailand.gov.ae) portal. For the full buying process and cost breakdown, see our [guide](/guide/deal-steps). To compare yields, use the [ROI calculator](/tools/roi-calculator).