Dubai has introduced a comprehensive new law regulating lost and abandoned property, centralizing authority with Dubai Police and clarifying procedures for reporting, storing, and reclaiming items. The legislation, Law No. (17) of 2025, replaces the previous Law No. (5) of 2015 and provides a clear framework for residents, businesses, and authorities.
Context
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, issued Law No. (17) of 2025, replacing the previous law on lost and abandoned property. Under the new legislation, lost property is defined as money or movable items with legal ownership and value that are unintentionally lost by the owner. Abandoned property refers to similar items deliberately or implicitly relinquished by their owners. Stray animals are not included in either category.Dubai Police are now responsible for receiving reports, safely storing property, and maintaining detailed records. This includes item descriptions, dates, locations, and information about the finder. An electronic system will be used to manage all records and announcements, ensuring a streamlined and transparent process.
Rules, responsibilities, and processes
Anyone discovering lost property, except public employees performing official duties, must report it in the electronic system within 24 hours and hand it over to Dubai Police within 48 hours. They are prohibited from using, keeping, or claiming the property unless the owner does not come forward within one year, at which point the finder may request to retain it. If the owner later claims the property, it must be returned.Dubai Police document all handovers with official receipts detailing the property, the condition, the finder’s information, and the circumstances of discovery. All government and private entities are required to cooperate, registering property in the electronic system and complying with the handover deadlines.Violations of the law carry fines from AED 500 to AED 100,000, doubling for repeated breaches within a year up to AED 200,000. The police may also issue warnings requiring correction of violations within a specified period.
Rights, rewards, and legal framework
The law protects owners’ rights while rewarding honest finders. Owners may reclaim property before it is disposed of or claim its value within three years if it is sold. If property is given away or disposed of without compensation, the owner can recover it from the current possessor. In cases of disputed ownership, a final court ruling determines entitlement.Finders may be rewarded with a certificate of appreciation or 10 percent of the property’s value, up to AED 50,000, as determined by the Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police. Rewards are applied after disposal, regardless of whether the owner claims the property.The law replaces Law No. (5) of 2015 and overrides conflicting provisions in other legislation. Existing regulations from the previous law remain in effect if they do not contradict the new provisions. Law No. (17) of 2025 became effective on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette, establishing a clear, accountable framework for the management of lost and abandoned property in Dubai.
