Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, recently issued a new law regarding the quality and safety of buildings in the emirate, in his capacity as the Ruler of Dubai.
By maintaining structural integrity, ensuring regular maintenance and supporting the safe operation of all systems, the law aims to ensure the safety, quality and sustainability of buildings in the emirate. Moreover, it works to enhance passenger comfort, reduce accidents, protect lives and property, and preserve Dubai’s urban identity.
New building law
On Tuesday morning, the Dubai Media Office issued an announcement outlining the objectives of the law:
- Ensure high quality, safe and sustainable buildings by protecting structural integrity
- Assign regular maintenance to support the safe operation of all building systems
- Enhancing passenger comfort while reducing accidents and protecting lives and property
- Preserving Dubai’s urban identity and architectural character
What the law stipulates
The provisions of the law apply to all buildings throughout Dubai, including those located in special development zones and free zones, whether they were built before or after its issuance.
Dubai Municipality is working to develop a digital management system, maintain a unified database, and conduct periodic assessments as it is responsible for ensuring the safety and quality of buildings. The Foundation also sets sustainability standards and implements the necessary measures and procedures to protect buildings, lives and property. It will oversee maintenance, investigate incidents, apply corrective measures, promote modern technologies, organize materials, and manage the digital construction portal.
Finally, a quality and safety certificate will only be issued after a licensed engineering office or company conducts a comprehensive inspection and evaluation of the structural and technical condition of the building.
What should owners consider?
Under the law, the building owner, including unit owners under Law No. (6) of 2019 regarding joint ownership in Dubai, must obtain a quality and safety certificate after the building is completed, ensure that any defects identified in the inspection are corrected and follow the procedures specified by the competent authority. For buildings less than 40 years old, the validity of the certificate is 10 years, while for buildings 40 years old and older, it is 5 years. The certificate may be renewed for similar periods, provided that the terms and procedures for renewal are determined by a decision issued by the Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai. In cases where the demolition of a building is approved, the tenant eviction rules stipulated in Law No. 10 of 2017 regarding building demolition apply.
Law No. (26) of 2007 regulating the relationship between landlords and tenants in Dubai and its amendments shall be applied. Tenants who vacate the building under this law have priority to return to the building after rebuilding it or completing maintenance and repairs, with the same rental value agreed upon in the original lease contract, unless the parties agree otherwise.
Violators of the law or its decisions could face fines ranging from 100 dirhams to 1,000,000 dirhams.
Repeated violations within two years are subject to double fines of up to 2,000,000 dirhams.
On the road to “the safest city in the world”
With influencers moving to the city from all over the world, Dubai has become the “safest city in the world,” a title that has gone viral. In order to improve the safety and protection of its residents, Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed recently launched another law. The legislation known as Law No. (2) of 2026 created a framework to protect residents, visitors and property, while supporting the city’s urban growth and identity.
It detailed a set of rules aimed at reducing accidents, preventing injuries, and ensuring high safety standards in public places and commercial activities.
Regional tensions in the Middle East
These measures, which aim to enhance the safety of residents, come at a time when the UAE is fighting Iranian aggression. This has led to the closure of the country’s airspace, which is one of the most important air travel corridors. In addition, Dubai in particular is also facing the problem of increasing pet abandonment by pet owners, who are expatriates fleeing the country due to risks to their safety. As vets received increasing inquiries about euthanizing pets, volunteers found dogs being tethered on the streets and kittens being delivered to doorsteps. Through it all, the UAE authorities have been praised for their continued support to travelers in terms of hotel vouchers, food and free pets through Dubai’s new project of AI feeding stations called ‘Ehsan Stations’.