On 25 November 2025, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum issued Law No. 17 of 2025 on the handling of lost and abandoned property in Dubai, replacing the regime under Law No. 5 of 2015. The new law reflects a comprehensive and modernized statutory framework governing the reporting, custody, management and reclamation of lost or abandoned property, thereby reinforcing legal clarity, public accountability and procedural transparency.
Defining Lost and Abandoned Property
Under the new law, “lost property” is defined as money or movable items with legal ownership and financial value that are unintentionally lost by an owner. “Abandoned property” refers to money or movable items of value that the owner or lawful possessor has intentionally or implicitly relinquished any right, title or interest therein. Notably, stray animals are excluded from both definitions.
Centralised Authority and Electronic System
A central feature of the reform is the designation of Dubai Police as the competent authority responsible for receiving reports, taking custody of lost and abandoned property, storing items securely, and maintaining detailed records. The law further mandates the establishment and operation of an electronic system must be established to register found items, manage public announcements, determine storage and announcement costs, and ensure the transparent, traceable, and accountable handling of all property subject to the law.
Mandatory Reporting and Timelines
The law imposes clear reporting and handover obligations:
- Any individual who finds lost property (other than public employees on official duty) must register the find in the Dubai Police electronic system within 24 hours and hand the item to the police within 48 hours.
- Finders are expressly prohibited from using, keeping or claiming the property as their own until legal processes are complete.
Non-compliance may attract warnings or penalties, with fines ranging from AED 500 to AED 100,000 for violations and up to AED 200,000 for repeat offences within a year.
Rights of Owners and Finders
The law carefully balances the rights of owners with incentives for finders:
- Owners retain full rights to reclaim their property before it is disposed of and may claim the value of items sold within three years of disposal under the prescribed procedures.
- If property is disposed of without compensation, the owner may still recover the item from its current holder.
- In cases of conflicting claims, entitlement is resolved by a final court ruling.
- Dubai Police may issue a certificate of appreciation or a financial reward of up to AED 50,000 (10 per cent of the property’s value) to finders in accordance with conditions set by the Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police.
- A finder may request to retain unclaimed property after one year, subject to police safeguards; if the true owner later appears, the finder must return the property.
Disposition of Lost Property:
Dubai Police will retain lost property for at least three (3) months from the date it is found. If the owner is not identified and the finder does not claim it within this period, the property may be sold and the proceeds deposited in trust with the Government of Dubai’s Public Treasury Account. If the proceeds are not claimed by the owner within three (3) years from the date of sale, they are transferred to the Public Treasury.
Notwithstanding the above, Dubai Police may sell lost property at any time if it is perishable, likely to deteriorate, of insignificant value, or where the cost of safekeeping exceeds its value. Property containing private photographs or personal information may be handled or destroyed as appropriate, and property that cannot be sold may be disposed of in a suitable manner, including by donation to charities or public institutions.
Compliance and Institutional Co-operation
The law obligates all public and private entities to cooperate with Dubai Police, register found or abandoned property through the electronic system and comply with the statutory timelines for handover. Dubai Police may issue written notices to rectify violations within specified deadlines.
What This Means for Residents and Businesses
The new framework represents a significant upgrade in legal and administrative clarity. By embedding strict timelines, mandatory electronic reporting, transparent records and expressly prescribed penalties, the law enhances public trust in the handling of lost and abandoned property and aligns procedural safeguards with international standards. It offers greater predictability for individuals, businesses and custodial authorities and establishes uniform practices across the emirate.
The modernised regime also provides for statutory finder rewards and formal legal recognition, which may encourage timely reporting and foster community cooperation — a notable shift from discretionary approaches in earlier laws.
Conclusion
Dubai’s Law No. 17 of 2025 delivers a clear, transparent, accountable and enforceable legal framework governing the reporting, custody, management, and disposal of lost and abandoned property. The law delineates the respective rights and obligations of relevant stakeholders, clarifies responsibilities, reinforcing owner protections and incentivising compliance. As with other recent regulatory reforms across the emirate, this law underscores a continued commitment to rule-based governance and public-oriented legal frameworks that support both residents and institutions.
Our team advises clients on compliance and risk management under Dubai’s Lost and Abandoned Property Law, including reporting obligations, custody procedures, owner recovery rights, and enforcement exposure. For further information, please contact Suneer Kumar at suneer@alsuwaidi.ae,Vida Grace Serrano at vida@alsuwaidi.ae, or Mamdouh Tawfik at m.tawfik@alsuwaidi.ae.