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A Tenant's Guide to the Check-In Report

Caroline Hamren · Jul 15, 2025 · 4 min read

Signing a new tenancy in Dubai comes with a long to-do list: the tenancy contract, Ejari registration, utility connections, moving your belongings. In the middle of all that, it is easy to give the check-in report a quick glance and file it away. That is a missed opportunity. For a tenant, a clear check-in report is one of the best protections you have.

What a check-in report is

A check-in report is a detailed record of the property's condition and contents at the start of your tenancy. It works room by room, describing walls, floors, ceilings, doors, windows, fixtures, fittings, appliances and any furniture supplied, along with the standard of cleanliness. A good report is supported by dated photographs, so that each description can be seen as well as read.

Why it matters to you

Dubai's Law No. (26) of 2007 provides that, at the end of the lease, the tenant returns the property in the condition in which it was received, apart from ordinary wear and tear or damage due to reasons beyond the tenant's control. So the key question at the end of your tenancy will be: what condition was the property in when you moved in? The check-in report is the answer. Without one, you may find it hard to show that a mark or defect was already there.

How to read your report

• Go through it room by room, ideally while you are still in the property or soon after.
• Compare the descriptions and photographs with what you can see.
• Look closely at high-wear items: flooring, worktops, bathroom fittings, mattresses and sofas.
• Check that appliances are listed and described accurately.
• Note the recorded standard of cleaning, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms.

If something is missing or wrong

If you notice an existing defect that is not recorded, or a description that does not match what you see, raise it in writing as soon as possible. Be specific, mentioning the room, the item and the issue, and attach your own dated photo if you can. Ask for your comments to be added to the report or attached to it, and keep a copy of what you sent.

Take your own photos too

Even with a professional report, it is sensible to keep your own dated photos or a short video from moving-in day. They are a useful backup and help you remember the property's condition months or years later.

Look after the record

Store your check-in report somewhere you will be able to find it at the end of the tenancy, together with your tenancy contract, Ejari certificate and any correspondence about repairs. When you report a maintenance issue during the tenancy, do it in writing, so that there is a record that it was raised.

At the end of the tenancy

When you move out, the check-out inspection will compare the property with the check-in report. If the report was accurate and you raised any issues early, the comparison should be straightforward. Normal wear is expected; the report simply helps everyone see what has genuinely changed.

A quick checklist

• Read the full report and photos.
• Raise any inaccuracies in writing, quickly.
• Keep your own dated photos.
• Store the report with your tenancy documents.
• Report repairs in writing during the tenancy.

Who should attend the check-in?

You do not always need to be present while the inspector works, but being there at the end, or walking through the property soon after, is a good idea. It gives you the chance to ask questions, test appliances and see the property in the same state as it was recorded. If you cannot attend, make sure you receive the report promptly and set aside time to review it carefully in the first few days.

It also helps to know who the report was prepared by. A report from an independent inspector, rather than from either party, is designed to be a neutral record that landlord and tenant can both rely on.

If you would like an independent record of your property, Invecheck can help. Our experienced, independent inspectors offer flexible appointments, including weekends, an onsite consultation, and a clear, room-by-room digital report delivered within 3–5 business days. Book your check-in, check-out or handover online in a few minutes.

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