Security Deposit (Dubai)

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.