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Aldar Properties and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank announced the completion of Abu Dhabi’s first off-plan mortgage registration under a framework launched by the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre. The transaction involved a buyer who had paid 50 percent of an eligible off-plan unit’s value with ADCB acting as the financing bank in line with UAE Central Bank requirements. The companies said in a joint statement that the new process enables the bank to be formally recorded on the mortgage certificate prior to property handover. This marks Aldar as the first developer in the emirate to finalise such a registration since the framework took effect.
The ADREC framework permits customers who have paid at least half the purchase price to secure mortgage financing during the construction phase with the bank covering remaining instalments and the final handover payment. According to the joint statement the arrangement gives buyers certainty over their financing terms well in advance while preserving their liquidity throughout the build period. It also eliminates the need to arrange new financing upon completion. The statement noted that the approach offers an alternative to traditional mortgages arranged only at handover and expands customer choice on rates and conditions.
Home Finance by Aldar facilitated the transaction without fees as part of a service that connects buyers to competitive options from more than six participating conventional and Islamic banks. The companies said this advisory service helps customers compare offerings and select the most suitable terms for off-plan purchases at eligible Aldar projects. ADCB’s involvement in the inaugural deals builds on its earlier introduction of off-plan mortgage solutions in April 2026 that provided pre-approvals for up to 50 percent of property value from leading UAE developers. A statement from ADCB at the time highlighted zero processing and valuation fees along with interest rates starting from 3.49 percent per annum fixed for three years.
The development aligns with amendments to Abu Dhabi’s Real Estate Sector Regulation Law through Law No. 2 of 2025 and related administrative decisions issued by the Department of Municipalities and Transport. A legal analysis by international law firm King & Spalding noted that these updates strengthened escrow account mechanisms project governance and buyer protections in the off-plan segment. ADREC has integrated mortgage registration into its DARI digital platform allowing users to complete applications online by selecting properties uploading documents and obtaining bank approvals. The regulator indicated the service is available market-wide to any participating financial institution that meets the established criteria.
Faisal Falaknaz Aldar’s chief financial and sustainability officer said in the statement “The new off-plan mortgage framework introduced by ADREC marks an important step in further enhancing the transparency and accessibility of the market.” The framework supports broader access to financing before unit handover according to the companies. It also complements ADREC’s efforts to modernise real estate processes through the DARI ecosystem which handles sales registrations mortgages and related transactions digitally. Emirates News Agency covered the announcement on September 4 detailing how the process removes previous friction points for buyers and lenders alike.
Abu Dhabi’s off-plan market has evolved under ADREC oversight with mandatory escrow accounts and registration requirements designed to safeguard purchaser funds. The joint statement emphasised that the mortgage innovation builds on these foundations by adding financing flexibility without altering core eligibility rules set by the UAE Central Bank. Industry participants expect the precedent set by Aldar and ADCB to encourage wider adoption across other developers and banks operating in the emirate. The companies indicated that additional transactions under the framework are anticipated in the coming months as awareness grows among eligible buyers.
