Dubai Tenancy Law · Dubai Law 26 of 2007
Article 21
English translation
Upon the expiry of the term of the Lease Contract, the Tenant will must surrender possession of the Real Property to the Landlord in the same condition in which the Tenant received it at the time of entering into the Lease Contract except for ordinary wear and tear or for damage due to reasons beyond the Tenant's control. In the event of dispute between the two parties, the matter must be referred to the Tribunal to issue an award in this regard.
Official translation, as published by the portal.
Official Arabic text
يكون المستأجر ملزماً عند انتهاء الإجارة بتسليم العقار للمؤجِّر بالحالة التي تسلمه عليها وقت التعاقد إلاّ ما نقص نتيجة الاستعمال العادي له أو لسبب خارج عن إرادته، وفي حالة اختلاف الطرفين على ذلك، يرفع الأمر للّجنة لإصدار قرارها في هذا الشأن.
What it means when you sign
This article covers handing the property back at the end of the lease. When the term ends, the tenant must give possession to the landlord in the same condition in which the tenant received it when the lease was made. Two things are excused: the ordinary wear that comes from normal use, and damage caused by reasons beyond the tenant's control.
If the parties disagree about this, the matter is referred to the body named in the law for a decision.
When you are about to sign, this article means the condition of the property at the start is the benchmark for the handover at the end. A clause that requires the tenant to repaint, repair or restore beyond ordinary wear, or that makes the tenant pay for damage the tenant did not cause, may run into this article. It also points to the value of recording the condition of the property when moving in, since the comparison is with the state in which it was received.
Not yet cited in a Fahm report; shown because it sits in the same chapter as one that is.
Related articles
- Article 6Cited in Fahm reportsThis article covers what happens when a lease term ends but the tenant stays in the property and the landlord does not object.
- Article 7This article says that once a lease contract is valid, neither the landlord nor the tenant may end it on their own during its term.
- Article 12This article says when the tenant pays the rent.
- Article 13Cited in Fahm reportsThis article covers changes at renewal time.
- Article 14This article sets a notice period for changing lease terms at renewal.
- Article 16Cited in Fahm reportsThis article says who is responsible for maintenance during the lease.