Facing Challenges With Security Deposit Refunds In The UAE?

Rules differ in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, but help is at hand to resolve disputes

The thorny issue of recovering a deposit from a landlord when moving house can be a tricky one to resolve.

Due to the recent increase in rents across the country, but particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, a 5-10 per cent deposit usually paid on renting out a new home can easily top Dh10,000.

That hard-earned cash is often retained by some unreasonable landlords as a formality to cover the costs of repairs and maintenance to prepare the property for re-rental.

But before walking away, tenants should be aware of their rights to recover at least some, if not all of their deposit first.

The Rental Disputes Centre in Dubai and the Abu Dhabi Rent Dispute Settlement Committee are well placed to fairly resolve any disagreements between landlord and tenant, but steps can be taken well in advance to avoid the need for a lengthy and expensive court case.