Furnished apartment inventory list for Dubai landlords (move-in and move-out)

Why a furnished rental needs an inventory

A furnished annual let means a tenant living with your furniture for months. Without a signed list, you can't:

• prove an item was there at move-in;
• separate normal wear and tear from damage;
• quickly replace what's missing before the next tenant.

According to Dubai's Rental Disputes Center, at the end of the lease the tenant can reclaim the security deposit provided the property is returned in the same condition. You need a record of that starting condition: that's the inventory's job.

It protects the tenant too, who knows exactly what they're responsible for. And if you live abroad, it's often the only way to follow your property's condition remotely.

Inventory and the Ejari tenancy contract

Residential leases in Dubai are registered in Ejari, the system run by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) under Law No. 26 of 2007, as amended by Law No. 33 of 2008. The DLD provides a Unified Ejari Tenancy Contract.

According to the DLD, additional terms can be added through an addendum signed by all parties. We have not found an official rule requiring an inventory to be attached to the lease. The safest practice: have the tenant sign the inventory and attach it to the contract as an addendum or annex, as advised by your agent or property manager.

Disputes between landlords and tenants in Dubai go to the Rental Disputes Center (RDC). This article is not legal advice: for questions about the deposit or repairs, refer to your contract.

Furnished apartment inventory checklist, room by room

Go through the apartment room by room. For each item: description, quantity, condition (new, good, worn, damaged), notes, photo.

Living room

• Sofa (or sofa bed), cushions, throws
• Dining table, chairs, coffee table
• TV unit, TV, remote controls
• Lights, lamps, LED lighting
• Curtains, sheers, rugs
• Mirrors, artwork, plants and decorative items

Bedroom(s)

• Bed frame, mattress, mattress protector
• Bedside tables, lamps
• Wardrobe, hangers, chest of drawers
• Blackout curtains

Kitchen

• Appliances supplied by the developer or added by you (with brand)
• Plates, glasses, cutlery — counted
• Pots, pans, utensils
• Small appliances (kettle, coffee machine…)

Bathroom

• Mirror, storage, accessories
• Towels and bath mats

Linen and other items

• Sheet sets, duvet covers, pillows, duvets — counted
• Iron and board, vacuum cleaner, drying rack
• Keys, access cards, AC remotes

Add a "walls, floors, doors" line per room: scratches, marks and chips get discussed at move-out too.

Furnish for long-term tenants

Move-in and move-out inspection in Dubai

Move-in

1. Do the inventory just before the tenant arrives, with the apartment clean and complete.
2. Photograph each room wide, then each piece of furniture, then any existing defect close up.
3. Keep photos dated (file metadata works, or a narrated walkthrough video).
4. Have the tenant review and sign the inventory; one copy each.

Move-out

1. Use the same list, in the same order.
2. Compare photo by photo.
3. Record differences: missing items, damage, normal wear.
4. Have the move-out record signed.

If you're overseas

Ask your agent or property manager to run both inspections, using your template rather than theirs. It makes comparisons between tenants much easier.

Tips for an inventory that holds up

• One template, every tenancy: same rooms, same order, same wording.
• Brands and models for appliances and electronics: it makes replacements and comparisons easier.
• Counted, not described: "6 dinner plates" beats "set of plates".
• Meter readings and keys on the first page: number of keys, access cards, remotes.
• Update it whenever you replace or add an item between tenants.
• Store it in the cloud with the photos, so you and your manager share the same version.

The best time: right after furnishing

The best inventory is done when everything is new and in place. If you're having the unit furnished, use the handover of the furnished apartment to photograph everything before the first tenant. With BuildSure, you receive regular photos and videos on WhatsApp throughout the project: a useful first record of the furniture's condition at delivery. The signed inventory with your tenant remains for you or your agent to carry out.

For an annual tenant, durability matters. Our turnkey furnishing service uses furniture made in our own factory, with high-end materials and finishes selected for quality and durability.

Which package for a long-term rental?

Each package includes bespoke furniture, décor, wall panelling, linen and building access permits. See our fixed-price Signature packages. Furnished or unfurnished? Compare on our long-term furnished rental page.

Ready to furnish for an annual tenant?

A well-furnished apartment lets more easily and is easier to inventory. Let's talk about your unit.

Furnish for long-term tenantsContact us