Abu Dhabi opens off-plan mortgages under Adrec's new framework

Buyers of off-plan property in Abu Dhabi can now arrange a mortgage before the keys are handed over. The Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (Adrec) has introduced a framework that lets a financing bank be named on the mortgage registration certificate during construction, and Aldar Properties, together with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), has completed the first transaction under the new rules.

How the new registration works

Under the framework, a buyer who has paid 50 per cent of the purchase price can register a mortgage against an off-plan unit. The bank then funds the remaining instalments and the final handover payment, so the financing is settled during construction rather than at the very end.

The mortgage interest is recorded in the Initial Real Estate Register while the project is still being built. According to The National, September 2026, Adrec says this improves transparency and protection for buyers, developers and lenders, because the bank's claim is formally registered ahead of handover.

What it means for off-plan buyers

For purchasers, the change removes the uncertainty of arranging finance at handover, when rates and terms may have shifted. Locking in a lender earlier gives clarity on cost and preserves cash during the construction period. Aldar routes buyers to six participating banks, including ADCB, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD, Emirates Islamic and First Abu Dhabi Bank, leaving room to compare offers.

The backdrop is a fast-growing market. According to The National, September 2026, off-plan sales made up 89 per cent of Dh70.4 billion in residential transactions in the first half of 2026, while total real estate deals rose 112 per cent year on year to Dh117 billion. A registered off-plan mortgage adds a layer of legal certainty as more capital moves into projects that are still under construction.