Move-Out Cleaning Checklist for Dubai: How to Get Your Deposit Back

To get your security deposit back in Dubai, return the home in the condition you received it, apart from normal wear and tear, with every bill paid. Under Dubai’s tenancy law (Law No. 26 of 2007, Articles 20 and 21), the landlord refunds the deposit when the contract ends and may keep part of it only for damage beyond ordinary wear and tear. In practice most deductions come from three things: a kitchen or bathroom that was not deep cleaned, marks and damage that were not there at move-in, and unpaid DEWA or other bills. This guide covers all three.

Book on WhatsApp

How much is the deposit and when is it returned

A security deposit in Dubai is usually 5% of the annual rent for an unfurnished home and 10% for a furnished one; the exact amount is in your tenancy contract.
The landlord refunds it when the contract ends and the home is handed back. Deductions are allowed for damage beyond normal wear and tear, for a home left unclean, and for unpaid bills.
If the landlord does not refund it, send a written request first. If that does not work, you can file a case with the Rental Dispute Centre (RDC).

This is general information, not legal advice. Check your own contract and, for a dispute, the Rental Dispute Centre.

Move-out timeline

When	What to do
30–90 days before the end of the contract	Give the notice your contract requires; agree the handover date and inspection with the landlord or agent
2 weeks before	Book the move-out clean for the day after the movers; book any small repairs (wall patching, painting) before the clean
3–5 days before	Request DEWA deactivation for your move-out date; settle internet and other accounts
Day after the movers	Move-out deep clean of the empty home
Handover day	Walk through with the landlord or agent, take photos and video of every room, hand over keys and access cards
After handover	Pay the DEWA final bill; the landlord cancels Ejari; the deposit is refunded

Room-by-room move-out cleaning checklist

This is what landlords and agents usually check at a Dubai handover.

Kitchen– Hob, extractor hood and filters free of grease- Inside of the oven, fridge and freezer (switch off and defrost the freezer the day before)- Inside of all cupboards and drawers, wiped and dry- Sink, taps, tiles and splashback without limescale and grease- Dishwasher and washing machine filters and door seals

Bathrooms– Limescale removed from shower glass, taps, shower heads and tiles- Toilet, sink and bath cleaned, including under the rim and around the base- Grout and silicone without mould; mirrors without streaks- Drains clear

Bedrooms and living areas– Inside of wardrobes, shelves and drawers- Skirting boards, doors, door frames, switches and sockets- Inside windows, sills and sliding-door tracks, which collect sand in Dubai- AC grilles dusted- Floors vacuumed and mopped, including under where furniture stood

Balcony or terrace– Floor swept and washed, railings and glass wiped from the inside- Nothing left behind: plants, pots, furniture

Walls– Marks from furniture, nail holes and scuffs: patch and paint before the clean, if your contract requires it

DEWA and Ejari: the paperwork side

DEWA. Request deactivation through the DEWA website, the DEWA app or the DubaiNow app, choosing your move-out date. Electricity and water are disconnected within 24 working hours of that date, and the final bill is emailed within 24 working hours. The disconnection fee is AED 125 for small meters (AED 300 for large meters) plus AED 10 knowledge and AED 10 innovation fees. After the final bill is paid, DEWA sends a clearance certificate automatically, and your DEWA deposit is set against the final bill; any balance is refunded.

District cooling. If your building has district cooling, close that account with the cooling provider as well.

Ejari. Ejari is not cancelled automatically when the contract ends. The landlord is responsible for cancelling it after you move out; it can be done in the Dubai REST app (free) or at a real estate services trustee centre (AED 40 plus VAT). The final paid DEWA bill is needed, and you cannot register a new Ejari for your next home while the old one is still active.

Photos protect your deposit

Take photos and video of every room at move-in and again after the move-out clean, before you hand over the keys. If the landlord claims a deduction, dated photos of the clean, empty home are your strongest evidence.

Every Clean Area move-out clean comes with a photo and video report of each room before and after, kept for 30 days, which you can forward to your landlord or agent.

Move-out cleaning with Clean Area

Fixed price: studio AED 999, 1-bedroom AED 1,248, 2-bedroom AED 1,497, 3-bedroom AED 1,746; villas from AED 2,061 (before 5% VAT)
Crew of two with Kärcher equipment and EU Ecolabel cleaning agents
Inside of empty cupboards and wardrobes included; inside the oven and fridge on request
Photo and video report of every room for your handover
24-hour quality guarantee: if something is not right, tell us within 24 hours and we come back to re-clean it

Details and booking: move-in and move-out cleaning. Prices for every service: Prices. Your area: Services.

FAQ

How much security deposit do landlords take in Dubai?Usually 5% of the annual rent for an unfurnished home and 10% for a furnished one. The exact amount is in your tenancy contract.

Can my landlord deduct cleaning costs from my deposit?Landlords may deduct for damage beyond normal wear and tear and for a home left unclean or with unpaid bills. A deep clean before handover and dated photos of every room are the best protection.

Who cancels Ejari when I move out?The landlord is responsible for cancelling Ejari after you move out. It is free in the Dubai REST app or AED 40 plus VAT at a trustee centre, and the final paid DEWA bill is needed.

How long does DEWA take to disconnect when I move out?Electricity and water are disconnected within 24 working hours of the move-out date you choose, and the final bill is emailed within 24 working hours.

When should I book the move-out cleaning?For the day after the movers, when the home is empty, and before the handover inspection. Book about two weeks ahead.

What if my landlord refuses to return the deposit?Send a written request first. If the landlord still refuses, you can file a case with the Rental Dispute Centre (RDC).