The short answer
Ask the developer to identify the stage: certificate issued, application submitted, application returned, or not submitted. Obtain evidence and dates. The current DLD initial-sale page states registration within 90 days of signing; a receipt for the registration fee does not by itself show that this has happened.
First establish what is missing
| Developer’s answer | Evidence to request |
|---|---|
| “It is issued” | The original certificate, registration reference, issue date and email destination. |
| “It is in process” | Application reference, submission date and current status. |
| “DLD returned it” | The actual requirement or rejection reason, and who must act. |
| “We have not submitted it” | The reason, supporting basis and proposed resolution date. |
| No clear answer | Send one consolidated written request and keep the record for official follow-up. |
Use the same project, unit and purchaser details throughout. A scattered message trail with different unit labels can make a simple retrieval issue harder to distinguish from a substantive registration problem.
I paid the DLD fee. Why do I still have no Oqood?
The payment may have been collected without the registration output reaching you, or the application may remain unfinished. Ask for the official registration payment evidence alongside the developer ledger. Neither an assumption that the money was misused nor an assumption that registration is complete follows from the missing PDF alone.
If the developer gives an application reference, use the official enquiry service or ask DLD which route will confirm the position.
The developer says I must pay 20% or 25%
Ask which SPA provision or official requirement it relies on and how the timing complies with DLD’s published service terms. The current initial-sale page does not set out a universal 20% or 25% buyer-payment prerequisite.
A payment milestone in your contract and a threshold quoted for resale are separate issues. Keep the developer’s answer in writing so DLD or a qualified adviser can assess the particular explanation.
What should I do if 90 days have passed?
- Create a dated timeline from SPA signing to the latest reply.
- Keep the signed contract, payment records, submitted identification and developer correspondence.
- Request a precise written status and any outstanding action.
- Contact DLD with the transaction facts and ask for the appropriate registration or complaint route.
- If you are considering cancellation, withholding payment or claiming compensation, obtain advice on the contract and current law first.
The published timing requirement is useful evidence for an enquiry. It is not a safe basis on its own to declare the contract cancelled or your next instalment unnecessary.
Which complaint route applies?
DLD’s real estate company complaint service addresses regulatory violations. Its terms exclude contractual cancellation, refund and compensation claims. Ask DLD about the route for a registration concern; obtain legal advice for a private remedy or disputed payment obligation.
Do not let preparing a general complaint cause you to ignore an actual notice or contractual deadline. Read the cancellation and refund guide if that is the outcome you are considering.
A follow-up message you can use
A question you can use
My SPA for [project / unit] was signed on [date]. Please confirm whether registration is issued, pending or not submitted. Please provide the application or registration reference, supporting status evidence and any action required from me, with a proposed response date.
Questions people ask
Should I stop paying until I get Oqood?
Do not assume the missing certificate suspends your payment obligations. The contract, notices and facts need review before you take that step.
Does a missing Oqood automatically make the purchase void?
A missing copy does not establish non-registration. The legal effect of an unregistered transaction needs assessment against the facts and applicable law; avoid declaring the outcome from the document gap alone.
Can an agent speed up the official registration?
Independent support can organise documents and follow-up. It should not promise priority within DLD or the developer’s process without a genuine basis.