Prepared by OMEGA CFM Building Contracting L.L.C. · Property care and contracting guidance.
The rule
The landlord may hold a security deposit for end-of-lease maintenance and must refund it, or what remains, when the lease ends (Law 26 of 2007, Art. 20). The tenant returns the property in the condition received, except for ordinary wear and tear (Art. 21).
Check the agreed handover arrangements
Check the deposit amount, handover requirements and refund arrangements in your signed tenancy contract. Record the agreed deductions and return arrangements in writing.
Your move-out checklist
- Give notice as your contract requires.
- Arrange a joint handover or condition inspection with the landlord or agent.
- Compare proposed repairs and repainting with the contract and recorded move-in condition.
- Agree any required cleaning; OMEGA does not sell deep cleaning separately.
- Arrange utility account closure or transfer with the relevant providers.
- Use the official DLD process for Ejari cancellation and check the applicable channel requirements.
- Keep the dated condition record, keys handover and correspondence.
Use a condition record for the right purpose
A condition record identifies the accessible state of the property at a particular date. Use consistent room names and located photographs to compare it with the earlier record. It does not guarantee a deposit refund or determine whether a mark is chargeable. If technical faults need investigation, agree a technical inspection or repair assessment separately.
If the deposit is disputed
RDC lists a base fee of 3.5% of the claimed amount for monetary claims, from AED 500 to AED 15,000, plus applicable additional charges. Check its current fee schedule before filing. Dated condition records can support a claim but do not determine the outcome.