Is it legal for a landlord to cut electricity in Dubai?

No. Cutting off electricity, water, or air conditioning to pressure a tenant is illegal in all UAE emirates. It is a criminal offence that can be reported to the police.

What should I do if my landlord cuts off my water or electricity?

Call the police immediately to file a report, document the cut-off with photos/videos, contact DEWA (Dubai) or the relevant utility provider, and file an urgent case at the RDC. You may also be entitled to compensation.

Can my landlord cut utilities if I have not paid rent?

No. Even if you owe rent, the landlord cannot legally cut utilities. They must follow the legal process: 30-day written notice, then file at the RDC. Self-help remedies like cutting utilities are illegal regardless of the reason.

Can My Landlord Cut Electricity or Water in the UAE?

One of the most distressing things a landlord can do is cut off your water, electricity, or air conditioning. In the UAE, this is illegal in all circumstances — and here is exactly what you can do about it.

The Law Is Clear

Across all UAE emirates, cutting off essential services is illegal:

Dubai — Law 26/2007 prohibits landlords from interfering with tenant use of the property
Abu Dhabi — Law 20/2006 provides similar protections
Sharjah — Law 5/2024 explicitly prohibits utility disconnection by landlords

It does not matter whether you owe rent, have a dispute, or are past your contract expiry. The landlord cannot cut utilities.

What to Do Immediately

Call the police — File a report. Cutting utilities is a criminal offence.
Document everything — Photos/videos with timestamps showing utilities are off
Contact the utility provider — DEWA (Dubai), ADDC/TRANSCO (Abu Dhabi), or SEWA (Sharjah) to confirm the disconnection was not due to unpaid bills
File at the RDC/dispute authority — Request an urgent hearing for utility restoration
Send a formal notice — Use our notice generator to create a written record

Can I Withhold Rent?

If your landlord has cut utilities, you may have grounds to withhold rent until services are restored. However, this is risky without RDC backing. The safest approach is to file at the RDC and request permission to withhold rent pending restoration.

Compensation

If you are forced to stay in a hotel or alternative accommodation due to utility cutoff, you can claim these costs from the landlord through the RDC.

Related Resources

Tenant Rights in Dubai
Landlord Maintenance Responsibilities
How to File at the RDC
Ask Our AI Rights Assistant about utility disputes