Tenant move-out in Dubai: the landlord’s handover checklist

Before the last day

• Confirm in writing that the tenancy is ending, not renewing — and on which date
• Check whether the building requires a move-out permit or NOC from the owners association or building management (many towers do, and lifts often need booking)
• Remind the tenant to settle and close their DEWA account and, where the building has district cooling, obtain a chiller / cooling-provider clearance — unpaid cooling bills are a classic post-handover surprise
• Agree the inspection date, ideally after the unit is empty and cleaned

The final inspection

Walk the unit against your move-in condition report and photos. Note anything beyond fair wear and tear, with dated photos of each item. This record is what separates a defensible deposit deduction from an argument — the standard is the same one covered in our security-deposit guide.

Handover day

• Collect all keys, access cards, parking remotes — note the count against what was issued
• Take final meter readings and copies of the DEWA closure / final bill
• Confirm the Ejari registration is cancelled once the tenancy ends — a new tenant cannot register their contract while the old one is still active on the unit

Closing out

Issue an itemised deposit settlement — each deduction listed, evidence available, balance returned promptly. Then get the unit photographed and back to market; every vacant week costs more than most deduction line items are worth.

Pillar OS keeps each unit’s lease dates, documents and deposit settlement in one place, and flags the dates — lease end, notice windows, document expiries — before they arrive.