The Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) has devised an initiative called Ejari to regulate rental contracts and tenant-landlord agreements. The agreement includes terms regarding security deposit as well. When the tenants leave their rental home, they are entitled to receive a security deposit refund from their landlords as per the regulations.
Since the security deposit refund depends on the property condition after tenants vacate the rental house, landlords can deduct a certain amount from the deposit. However, there are methods that tenants must be aware of to avoid big deductions.
Let’s go through a complete guide on how tenants can receive security deposit refunds in Dubai with proper rental house maintenance.
SECURITY DEPOSIT REFUND IN DUBAI
Article 20 of the Dubai Rental Law makes the security deposit refund mandatory:
“When entering into a Lease Contract, the Landlord may obtain from the Tenant a security deposit to ensure maintenance of the Real Property upon the expiry of the Lease Contract, provided that the Landlord undertakes to refund such deposit or remainder thereof to the Tenant upon the expiry of the Lease Contract.”
If your landlord is not returning your security deposit in Dubai, you should refer to the above-stated law that provides consideration to why the landlord must receive the security deposit in the first place.
While the law explains the relationship between the landlord and tenants, it has not specified the parameter that will result in deduction in security deposit refund. Moreover, it doesn’t classify the kind of damage to the property that will result in a deduction.
Tenants must follow the guidelines and take good care of the property to get a full security deposit at the end of the lease term.
TIPS TO RECEIVE A SECURITY DEPOSIT REFUND
Following guidelines will ensure that you get complete or most of the amount of the security deposit refund whether you are on rent for a short or long period:
UNDERSTAND THE TERMS BEFORE SIGNING
Before signing the contract, you must carefully read all the terms and conditions. Moreover, tenants must preferably highlight essential points regarding their rights to security deposit claims.
Rental contracts direct the tenants to vacate the property in the condition it was handed over at the time of signing the contract. Besides, if any damage has occurred, the tenants should get it repaired to abide by the guidelines.
You can secure your security deposit by ensuring the following things in your contract:
- Read the contract carefully before signing.
- Get the wear and tear things classified by the landlord.
- Don’t make changes to the property without approval from the landlord.
- Repair anything that may have been damaged during your stay.
TAKE NOTES OF THE PROPERTY CONDITIONS WHEN MOVING-IN
Since the refund of the security deposit in Dubai depends on the property condition, tenants must take a good walk through when renting a home. Make notes and include photographic evidence of the rental house when you sign the rental agreement.
ATTEND THE MOVE-OUT INSPECTION
The landlord conducts these move-out reports in the tenant’s presence. If you have the report file of the notes you took at the start, you will be able to take a better stance in resolving the dispute in case the landlord refuses to return the security deposit in Dubai.
REPAIR AND REPAINT THE WALL
Your landlord probably shouldn’t deduct any amount from the security deposit for minor wear and tear to the walls but it’s better not to leave an excuse. Tenants must leave the floors in good condition when they vacate the property. Rental house occupants must repair any holes, stains, or damage and repaint the walls to receive a complete security deposit refund.
RECORD EXPENSES
When you move into your rental home, record all expenses you made in property repair. For instance, the incurred cost for any repair and repaint to leave the property in good condition. Recording expenses on maintenance will help you advocate your request for the security deposit refund in Dubai.
CLEAR YOUR BILLS
Any unclear dues such as utility bills may cost you deductions from your security deposit. Therefore, tenants must clear all their dues right before leaving the property at the end of the lease contract to increase their chances of receiving a complete security deposit refund in Dubai.
MOVE YOUR FURNITURE OUT
If you rent an unfurnished home, you must move your furniture out with you at the end of the lease term. Any removal costs incurred by the landlord will end up in a deduction from your security deposit. You can reduce this hustle by contacting any mover or packer in the UAE.
WHAT IF THE LANDLORD REFUSES TO RETURN THE SECURITY DEPOSIT IN DUBAI?
If the landlord is not returning your security deposit in Dubai even after good maintenance and certain follow-ups, you can file a complaint to RERA. RERA is a real estate regulating body that ensures both parties fulfil their duties as per the contract.
Therefore, tenants can hand over the house keys to RERA in case the landlord doesn’t fulfil their end of the commitment. RERA will hold the keys until your security deposit is refunded.
This guide will help you understand your rights as tenants and receive a security deposit refund in Dubai. You can look for rental homes in Dubai and follow these tips to avoid any deductions in security deposit refunds and maintain a good tenant-landlord relationship.
Stay tuned to the UAE’s top property blog to know more about the property dealings and real estate laws in Dubai.
Related Posts
