Start your Dubai move-out in the final 30 days before handover — that window is enough to restore the property, book the move, and clear Ejari and DEWA without a scramble on the day. The tenants who lose deposit money almost always compress this and hand back a property that is only "almost" ready.
Here is a week-by-week countdown you can work to.
30 days out: lock the date and book
Everything keys off your handover date, so confirm it and check your notice was served correctly. Then:
- Book your movers and, if needed, storage.
- Request a restoration quote — send photos and get a fixed quote in 24 hours so you know the scope and cost early.
- Start the move-out permit enquiry with building management; a pending permit is the most common last-minute delay.
Booking early is what secures your service-lift slot and permit — the two things most likely to stall a move.
2 weeks out: line up the restoration
With the quote approved, the restoration is programmed around your handover date. This is also when you work through the inspection checklist so you know exactly what will be checked:
- Confirm the scope — painting, AC servicing, any make-good, and the deep clean.
- Request your DEWA move-out and note you will need the final reading.
- If your tower runs on district cooling, plan to close the Empower or Emicool account too.
1 week out: restore, don't rush
Schedule the physical restoration for the final week to ten days, so the property reads as fresh at inspection rather than getting lived-in again. In this window:
- Repaint, service the AC, make-good any damage, and deep-clean — ideally as one coordinated project so it lands on the same date.
- Confirm the move-out permit and service lift are approved and booked.
- Get your AC service receipt and any chiller-account confirmation ready for the handover pack.
Handover day: the physical handover only
If the admin is already in motion, handover day is simple:
- Movers out, service lift booked.
- A final walkthrough or snagging with the landlord or agent — bring your move-in report and photos.
- Return keys, access cards and parking permits.
- Confirm the DEWA final reading and Ejari cancellation are complete or in motion.
After handover: closing the loop
Settle the DEWA final bill and any cooling account, confirm the Ejari cancellation, and keep every confirmation and invoice. With the property restored and the admin closed, there is nothing left for the landlord to deduct — and the full deposit comes back.
The whole timeline is easier when the restoration, permit, movers and admin are coordinated as one project. If you would rather not run it yourself, send a few photos and we will scope and schedule the lot around your handover date.