Security Deposit (Dubai)
A security deposit in Dubai is a sum of money — typically 5% of annual rent for unfurnished properties and up to 10% for furnished properties — paid by the tenant to the landlord at the start of the tenancy. The deposit is held as a safeguard against unpaid rent or property damage beyond normal wear and tear. At the end of the tenancy, the landlord must return the deposit or provide an itemised list of deductions within a reasonable period.
People searching for “security deposit Dubai” (deposit refund Dubai, landlord withholding deposit Dubai) are usually drafting a notice, checking a landlord claim, or preparing an RDSC bundle—use the sections below to connect the definition to your documents.
Why this term matters
Understanding “Security Deposit (Dubai)” helps you read notices, contracts, and RDSC correspondence accurately. Clear definitions reduce confusion when you compare your situation with official requirements or seek advice.
This term is most relevant to rent, deposits, cheques, and monetary claims. If you are preparing for the RDSC, connect the definition to your own documents: the words on the page must match what you can prove with Ejari, dates, and written communications.
People searching for “security deposit Dubai” are usually trying to (a) confirm a rule, (b) draft a letter, or (c) decide whether to file. Use the glossary definition alongside the technical section below—then cross-check the law reference with your contract and any notices you received.
Related ideas: deposit refund Dubai, landlord withholding deposit Dubai, rental deposit rules UAE. These phrases often appear in landlord and agent emails; knowing how they fit together helps you respond without conceding points that conflict with Law No. 26 of 2007 or its amendments.
DubaiRentCase provides general guidance and document preparation tools; it does not provide legal advice. If your dispute is complex or high-value, consult a qualified UAE tenancy lawyer.
Law No. 26 of 2007, Article 20; RERA Circular on Security Deposits
“The tenant shall return the property to the landlord upon expiry in the condition it was received, allowing for normal wear and tear.”
In Depth
Dubai's tenancy law does not specify a single mandatory maximum for security deposits, but the market convention established by RERA guidance is 5% of annual rent for unfurnished properties and up to 10% for furnished ones. Landlords who demand more than these amounts may be challenged at the RDSC.
The security deposit may only be used by a landlord to offset: unpaid rent owed at the end of the tenancy; documented repair costs for damage to the property that goes beyond normal wear and tear; and cleaning costs if the property is returned in a significantly dirtier condition than it was handed over.
Normal wear and tear — the gradual deterioration expected from ordinary use — cannot be charged against the deposit. This includes minor scuffs on walls, faded paintwork after a multi-year tenancy, and worn carpets. Contested items (e.g. whether a wall needs repainting) frequently become the subject of RDSC disputes.
A property handover report — signed by both parties at the start and end of the tenancy — is the most important document in any deposit dispute. A report confirming the condition at check-in establishes a baseline; if the landlord cannot prove the damage existed at check-out (not check-in), the deposit deduction is likely to fail at the RDSC.
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
My landlord is refusing to return my deposit. What are my options?
First, send a formal written demand (ideally by notarial notice) requesting the return within 14 days. If the landlord does not respond or refuses, file a case at the RDSC. The RDSC has authority to order the return of the deposit plus compensation for wrongful withholding.
Can my landlord deduct for repainting when I leave?
Only if the walls were repainted at the start of your tenancy AND the condition when you leave genuinely goes beyond normal wear and tear for the length of your stay. A multi-year tenancy with minor scuffs does not justify a repainting deduction.
How long does a landlord have to return the security deposit?
The law does not specify an exact deadline, but courts and the RDSC generally expect deposit return within 30 days of handover. Extended delays without valid deduction reasons are treated as wrongful withholding.
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