To leave a Dubai home safely for a long holiday, keep the AC running low rather than off, empty and clean the fridge properly, turn off the water mains if your building allows it, and set up your bills and security before you go. In Dubai’s summer heat and humidity, a fully switched-off flat can develop mould, spoiled pipes and pest problems within two weeks — a half-day of preparation protects your deposit and your belongings.
Quick facts
- Time needed: 2-4 hours spread over the two days before you fly, plus 20 minutes of final checks on departure day.
- Cost: Keeping AC at 24-26°C while away typically adds a modest amount to your DEWA bill — far less than professional mould cleaning, which can run to several hundred dirhams or more.
- Where it happens: At home, plus the DEWA, e&/du and banking apps for autopay, and a quick word with your building security or concierge.
Step-by-step: your pre-holiday home checklist
- Set the AC — do not switch it off. Set thermostats in each room to around 24-26°C, or use the “away” or humidity mode if your system has one. In villas, keep at least the main living area and bedrooms conditioned. Dubai humidity causes mould on leather, wood and walls in sealed, hot flats; landlords and agents see this damage every September.
- Sort the fridge by how long you are away. For trips under two weeks, use up perishables, bin anything that will expire, and leave staples. For longer trips, empty the fridge completely, wash the shelves, dry it fully and leave the doors slightly ajar with the power off — a closed, empty fridge grows a smell that is hard to remove. Never leave a switched-off fridge closed.
- Deal with water. Run each tap briefly, flush toilets, and pour a cup of water into floor drains and sink traps — traps dry out in the heat and let drain smells (and insects) into the flat. If you have access to your unit’s water shut-off valve and your building permits it, turning mains water off protects against a leak flooding an empty home; tell building maintenance you have done so.
- Unplug what does not need power. Switch off and unplug TVs, chargers, the washing machine, water heaters (gysers) and kitchen appliances. Leave only the fridge (if running), AC and any security devices powered. This cuts both fire risk and standby electricity use.
- Secure doors, windows and the balcony. Lock balcony doors and windows — sandstorms drive fine dust through small gaps, so close shutters where fitted. Move balcony items indoors or secure them; loose chairs become hazards in high winds and breach many community rules.
- Put bills and accounts on autopay. Set DEWA to auto-pay in the DEWA app or via your bank, and check e&/du and Salik balances. A DEWA disconnection while you are away stops the AC you deliberately left on. Top up Salik if someone may move your car, and check your car insurance and registration expiry dates fall after your return.
- Tell the right people. Inform building security or your concierge of your dates, give a trusted friend or neighbour a spare key and your UAE mobile number, and ask them to check weekly — collecting post, running taps for two minutes and confirming the AC is still cooling.
- Protect valuables and documents. Move passports you are not travelling with, jewellery and spare cash into a drawer out of sight or a home safe, photograph your rooms and valuables for insurance, and back up your laptop before you leave.
- Final walk-through on departure day. Bin out, washing machine door ajar, dishwasher empty and open, curtains partly closed, AC confirmed running, gas off if your cooker uses a cylinder, front door double-locked. Take a photo of your meter readings and thermostat settings — useful if a bill dispute arises later.
Special cases: villas, plants and pets
Villa owners and tenants should also check the garden irrigation timer is working (plants die in days without it in summer), cover or store outdoor cushions, and check the water tank and pump area for leaks. If you have a pool, arrange your usual maintenance company to continue visits — a green pool attracts both mosquitoes and community fines.
Plants indoors survive best grouped in a bath or sink with a slow-drip bottle, or moved to your key-holder’s home. Pets must never be left alone in the property — book a licensed pet sitter, boarding facility or a friend to take them, and leave vet details and food clearly labelled.
Common mistakes to avoid
Switching everything off to “save DEWA”. The saving is small and the mould, burst-pipe smell and ruined leather goods cost far more — and landlords may deduct cleaning from your deposit if the flat is returned mouldy.
Leaving the car untouched for a month. Batteries die quickly in Dubai heat. Ask your key-holder to start the car weekly, disconnect the battery for very long trips, or park with a facility that offers this service.
Announcing your empty flat publicly. Post holiday photos after you return, not before, and avoid sharing exact dates with people you do not know.
FAQ
What temperature should I leave the AC on while on holiday in Dubai?
Around 24-26°C works for most flats and villas — cool and dry enough to prevent mould without running the system hard. If your thermostat has a humidity or “dry” mode, that is even better for longer trips.
Should I turn off my DEWA water and electricity before travelling?
Do not disconnect DEWA — you need power for the AC and fridge. Turning off your unit’s internal water valve is sensible for long trips if your building allows it, but keep the account active and on autopay.
Who can check on my flat while I am away?
A trusted friend with a spare key is the usual choice. Some building management companies and home-watch services in Dubai offer paid weekly checks — get the arrangement in writing and inform your building security either way.
