You have found a place you like and agreed the rent — but before the boxes arrive, one job can save you hundreds or thousands of dirhams later: a careful final snagging walkthrough. In Dubai rentals, move-out disputes often come down to the property’s condition at the start, and without dated evidence it can become your word against someone else’s. A snagging walkthrough is a room-by-room check for defects and things that do not work, recorded and agreed in writing as you take the keys.
Prepare Before You Walk Through
Do the walkthrough in daylight if you can, and before furniture arrives, when walls, floors and defects are easiest to see. Bring a fully charged phone for photos and video, a charger to test sockets, a notes app, and a copy of what was promised in the listing or agreement — included appliances, parking, or repairs the landlord or agent agreed to complete.
- Take a slow video of each room as you enter, then close-up dated photos of every mark or defect.
- Keep original photo files unedited in a backed-up folder.
- Send photos and your snag list to the landlord or agent the same day, creating a dated record outside your phone too.
- Do not rely on verbal promises — if something is to be fixed, get it in writing with a timeframe.
Check Air Conditioning in Every Room
In Dubai, air conditioning is essential for most of the year and a common source of cost and disagreement. Turn the AC on in every room, not just the living room. Listen for unusual noises, check cool air reaches each vent, test thermostat controls, and look at ceilings and walls around units for water stains or dripping that suggest leaks or poor drainage.
Ask, in general terms, when the AC was last serviced and who is responsible for routine maintenance and filters under your contract, and note the answer in writing. Responsibilities vary by contract, so check your own agreement rather than assuming. If a unit is weak, noisy or not cooling, record it as a snag before moving in rather than reporting it weeks later.
Water Pressure, Plumbing and Leaks
Run every tap and shower and flush every toilet, one by one. Check water pressure is reasonable, hot water arrives, and drains empty freely rather than pooling. Look under sinks, around toilets, behind washing machine connections and inside kitchen and bathroom cabinets for damp, staining, mould or drips. In villas, also check outdoor taps and any water tank or pump area you are given access to, in general terms.
Watch that toilets refill and stop properly, and photograph cracked tiles, damaged sealant or stained ceilings. Water damage worsens over time, so early evidence protects both sides.
Appliances, Fixtures, Paint and Flooring
Test what is provided: check the fridge and freezer, oven and hob, a short washing machine cycle if permitted, and the water heater. Open and close every door, window, wardrobe and drawer; check locks, handles, fly screens and curtain rails. Test light switches, sockets and any ceiling fans or extractors room by room.
Then photograph scuffs, nail holes, cracked paint, chipped tiles, scratched or lifting flooring, and stains on carpets or curtains provided. Note the condition of paintwork in your list. At move-out, undocumented pre-existing wear is what gets argued over.
Meter Readings and the Written Record
On the day you take the keys, photograph electricity and water meter readings, and any other meters relevant to your property, keeping the date in your records. Utility processes vary, so follow current guidance from the relevant utility and your contract, but dated readings give a clear starting point if a first bill looks wrong.
Most importantly, get snags in writing: a dated list signed or acknowledged by the landlord or agent, kept alongside your tenancy contract and Ejari documentation, with each issue, agreed fix and timeframe. Keep copies of everything in one digital folder.
Protect Yourself on Moving Day
Finally, think about the move itself. Protect floors and corners when furniture comes in, or photograph the property again right after movers leave if new marks appear, so moving-day damage is not confused with earlier snags. Confirm building or community move-in rules, such as booking a service lift or permitted moving hours, with management in advance. A careful walkthrough will not prevent every problem, but documented and agreed properly, it turns most end-of-tenancy arguments into a simple look back at the evidence — money and stress saved.