Dubai move-out guide 2026: Checklist, legal obligations, deposit refund and what landlords can charge you

Dubai: Are you moving out of your rented apartment or villa? Before you close the door behind you, make sure your tenancy paperwork has been concluded properly, and you’ve marked off everything on your moving-out checklist, to avoid unpleasant surprises down the road. Imran Khan, legal consultant at I K Lawyers, advised: “Treat the move-out process as a legal handover, not merely a physical departure. The tenancy contract must be read alongside the applicable Dubai legislation. Notice requirements, early termination compensation, maintenance obligations and the treatment of alterations can all depend on the specific contractual terms and circumstances.” A moving-out checklist is just as important as a moving-in one . Here’s how to create a move-out checklist, and all the charges and laws to be aware of, before you sign off. What items should my move-out checklist include? In Dubai, Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai, amended by Law No. 33 of 2008, oversees all aspects of the landlord-tenant relationship. The law highlights the obligations of tenants, both upon entering a lease contract, and exiting one. Based on this legislation, Khan shared the following checklist for tenants who are planning to move out of their rented apartments or villas in Dubai: Read the lease contract: Start by ensuring you are following all the expectations outlined in your lease contract, when returning the property to the landlord. Khan said: “Check the expiry date, notice requirements, early termination provisions and obligations concerning maintenance and reinstatement.” Notify the landlord in writing, in a timely manner: Article (14) of the law states: “Where either of the two parties to a Lease Contract do not wish to renew the Lease Contract or wish to amend any of its terms, such party must notify the other party of such intent no less than 90 days before the date on which the Lease Contract expires, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.” Khan advises notifying the landlord in writing by email or a physical letter, and retaining proof of delivery. Stay on top of dates: Confirm the inspection date, key return, and surrender of possession and mark these dates on your calendar. Clear all bills: Khan said: “Pay rent and utility bills due under the contract and applicable law.” Article (22) of the law governs this rule: “Unless the Lease Contract states otherwise, the Tenant must pay all fees and taxes due to Government entities and departments for use of the Property as well as any fees or taxes prescribed for any sub-lease.” Leave the property as you received it: When handing over the property, the landlord is within his/her rights to inspect the home and ensure everything is as it should be. Article (21) of the law states: “Upon the expiry of the term of the Lease Contract, the Tenant must surrender possession of the Property to the Landlord in the same condition in which the Tenant received it at the time of entering into the Lease Contract, except for ordinary wear and tear or for damage due to reasons beyond the Tenant's control.” Khan advised taking time-stamped photographs and videos and, where possible, completing a joint inspection with the landlord. Complete repairs: If there are any damages more significant than regular wear and tear – such as large holes in the wall, broken door trims, and cracked tiles – that can be attributed to your misuse or negligence, you are required to complete repairs before handover, subject to the tenancy agreement and applicable law. Some Ejari-registered tenancy contracts include a minor maintenance clause, usually capped at a Dh500 threshold per repair, mandating tenants to complete small fixes below that amount, before leaving at the end of their tenancy. Cancel Ejari and disconnect electricity and water: Tenants should not assume their electricity and water connection disconnects automatically once they move out – it’s a process that must officially be completed via the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s (DEWA) Move-Out service. Learn how to apply for this service . The DEWA disconnection is linked to the Ejari cancellation process – the official process of removing a tenancy contract from the Dubai Land Department (DLD) register after the lease has expired, been terminated or the property has been vacated. Learn how to start the Ejari cancellation process here . Khan advised obtaining final bills and retaining payment confirmations from DEWA for your records. Get written acknowledgement at handover: Once inspection and repairs are complete, and it’s time to hand over the property, it’s important to “obtain written acknowledgement that the landlord has received possession” of the flat or villa, according to Khan. With everything on record, both parties know exactly what condition the property was in, on the day the tenant moved out. This step, along with evidence in the form of time-stamped pictures or videos,