10 Things to Check in Your New Dubai Home Before the Movers Arrive

1. Air conditioning in every room. Turn the AC on in each room and feel the airflow from the vents. Dubai apartments run on central cooling, and a weak vent in July is a problem you want reported on day one, not discovered on your first sweaty night. Note any rooms that stay warm.

2. Water pressure and hot water. Run every tap, hot and cold. Check the pressure in the showers (high towers sometimes have weak pressure on upper floors) and confirm the hot water actually arrives. Flush every toilet and watch that the tank refills properly.

3. The water heater. If the unit has its own water heater, check it is switched on and the pilot light or indicator is working. No hot water on the first evening is miserable and entirely avoidable.

4. Every socket, switch and light. Carry your phone charger and test each socket. Flip every switch. Check the balcony and bathroom lights too, plus any ceiling fans. A dead socket discovered after the TV is mounted against it is a repair request; found now, it is the landlord’s job.

5. Included appliances. Run what comes with the home: stove and hood, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer if included. Open the fridge and check it cools. Photograph the model plates so you know exactly what was there.

6. Photograph all existing damage. This is the big one. Photograph every wall, floor, ceiling and fixture, including the small stuff: scuffs, chips, stains, cracked grout, a wobbly handle. Open cabinets and photograph inside. Date-stamp the photos and email them to your landlord or property management the same day. Timestamped photos are your legal protection when you move out.

7. Windows, balcony doors and locks. Open and close every window and balcony door. Confirm the locks engage. In Dubai’s dust and occasional rain, a balcony door that does not seal properly becomes your problem fast.

8. Balcony drainage. Pour a glass of water on the balcony floor and watch where it goes. Blocked balcony drains are common in new and pre-owned homes alike, and you do not want to discover yours during the first rain of the season.

9. The DEWA meter reading. Photograph the electricity and water meter readings and confirm the account is in your name, not the previous tenant’s. A reading taken on move-in day settles any dispute about the first bill.

10. Service lift and parking confirmed for moving day. Call the new building management and confirm your move-in slot: the approved date, the service lift booking, and where the truck will park and unload. If the building needs a move permit or NOC, have the written approval ready before the truck rolls. A crew turned away at the gate loses the whole day.

Should I check the locks too? Yes, confirm every lock works. If you want the locks changed, get the landlord’s written permission first, since most tenancy contracts cover this.

What if I find damage after the furniture is in? Photograph it immediately and report it in writing the same day. Late reports are weaker, but a same-day report is still far better than silence.

Do I need the landlord present? It helps, but it is not required. What matters is the timestamped photos and the same-day email.

Is this really worth the time? It takes about half an hour. One disputed deduction costs more than that in money and frustration.