Ending a Tenancy: Termination, Natural End and Move-out

A tenancy does not end because the date passed

Dubai, Law No. 26 of 2007, Article 6: if the term expires and the tenant stays on without objection from the landlord, the contract renews for the same term or one year, whichever is shorter, on the same terms. Abu Dhabi law has the same effect when the tenant stays with the landlord's knowledge and without objection. Ending a tenancy takes an act — a decision, a notice, a move-out.

The ways it ends

• The tenant leaves at the end of the term, or both sides agree to end it — record what was agreed.
• The tenant leaves early — the contract's own early-termination terms apply, including any compensation it sets.
• The landlord wants the property back in Dubai — only on the grounds of Law 26/2007, Article 25(2): demolition or reconstruction, restoration or comprehensive maintenance that cannot be done with the tenant in place, personal use by the landlord or a first-degree relative, or sale. The notice must state the reasons, be given at least 12 months before the eviction date, and be served through a Notary Public or by registered post. E-mail or WhatsApp copies do not count as that service.

Other emirates have their own rules — see the emirate guides.

Recording it in TenancyDesk

On a Registered deal:

• Terminate Lease (in the deal's actions menu or on the lease-expiry banner) — choose the reason (Tenant early exit, Landlord request, Mutual agreement, Breach of contract, Non-payment of rent, Property sold, Other), the termination date and, if the contract sets compensation, the Penalty amount; add notes and Confirm Termination. The deal becomes Terminated, future rent payments after that date are cancelled, and the compensation is billed to the tenant in full.
• Complete Lease (on the lease-expiry banner) — for a lease that reached its natural end. The deal becomes Completed.

Either way, the deposit then awaits the move-out inspection. Record the inspection result — the date and any deductions, each with a reason and whose money it becomes — to open the refund. The compensation is taken from the deposit only if you choose so there.

Closing the Ejari (Dubai)

Cancelling an Ejari is its own DLD service, Cancel Tenancy Contract, for an expired contract on a vacated property. It is free in the app or system; at a Trustee centre the service partner fee is AED 40 + VAT. DLD sets no deadline for it. The final DEWA bill matters for the next tenant: DLD says that if it is not cleared, the new tenant cannot register an Ejari. TenancyDesk does not cancel registrations for you.

If it becomes a dispute

The deal's Compliance tab can assemble an evidence package for counsel to review — it is built for Dubai's Rental Disputes Centre and does not file anything.