We all have lost at least one valuable property or found a lost property. Have you ever wondered what laws govern such lost property? Prior to Law No. 17 of 2025, there was no comprehensive standalone framework governing the reporting, safekeeping, and disposal of lost and abandoned property in Dubai. This law provides a comprehensive framework that governs the reporting, safekeeping, and disposal of lost or abandoned property.

Scope and Purpose of the Law

The key objectives of the law are:

  1. Establish a unified mechanism for dealing with lost and abandoned property.
  2. Protect owners’ rights and prevent the unlawful appropriation of lost property.
  3. Create transparency in the management and disposal of found items.
  4. Encourage members of the public to surrender found property.
  5. Ensure abandoned property does not remain indefinitely in public places.

Lost property could include money and movable property, property that can legally be possessed, property having value, and property unintentionally lost by its owner. Abandoned property differs from lost property because the owner intentionally relinquishes possession.

Central Role of Dubai Police

The powers and functions of the Dubai Police are:

Receiving reports relating to lost property. They must ensure that abandoned property is stored in an appropriate facility. They must maintain records relating to:

  1. Description of the property.
  2. Date and time found.
  3. Place found.
  4. Finder details.

The police must maintain an electronic system for registration. They must announce the existence of the lost property to help owners identify the property. Dubai Police is authorised to dispose of property in accordance with the law.

Obligations Imposed on Finders

  1. The registration requirement for the finder of property is within 24 hours of finding it.
  2. The property must be handed over within 48 hours of finding it.
  3. The finder cannot keep the property, use it, sell it, or attempt to acquire ownership of it.
  4. The finder must cooperate with Dubai Police throughout the process.

Procedures for Retention and Disposal of Lost Property

After receiving the property, the Dubai Police must retain it for a three-month retention period, which allows sufficient opportunity for owners to come forward. If the owner is not identified and the finder does not claim the property, then the Dubai Police can sell it. The owner may still claim the proceeds of the sale for three years.

Dubai Police may sell property immediately if it is:

  1. Perishable.
  2. Likely to deteriorate.
  3. Costly to store.
  4. Of insignificant value.

Special Treatment of Sensitive Property

If the property contains personal information and the ownership of the property cannot be determined, then the Dubai Police must handle the property in an appropriate manner or destroy it. This reflects the growing concern regarding data protection, privacy rights, and the misuse of personal information.

Rights of Owners

The rights of the owners of the property include:

  1. Owners may recover property.
  2. If multiple parties claim ownership, the matter is referred to the competent court, and the court determines ownership.
  3. The property is returned only after the payment of storage costs and announcement costs.

Incentivising Honesty: Rewards for Finders

The finders are rewarded with a certificate of appreciation from the Dubai Police along with a financial reward of ten percent of the value of the property, up to a maximum of AED 50,000.

Finder’s Right to Retain Property

The finder has the right to retain the property by requesting retention if one year has passed and the owner remains unidentified.The finder must return it if the owner later appears and establishes ownership.

Abandoned Property

The law covers abandoned property:

  1. At airports and transport facilities.
  2. By prisoners and detainees.
  3. In public places.
  4. By deported individuals.
  5. During police operations.

Properties in most of these categories become eligible for disposal after 60 days of remaining unclaimed.

Administrative Penalties and Enforcement

  1. Dubai Police may issue a written warning requiring rectification.
  2. Violations may attract fines ranging from AED 500 to AED 100,000.
  3. Repeated violations within one year may result in double the fine, which could go up to a maximum of AED 200,000.

Law No. 17 of 2025 represents a significant development in Dubai’s regulatory framework. By establishing clear procedures for reporting, safeguarding, reclaiming, and disposing of lost and abandoned property, the law balances the interests of owners, finders, and public authorities. The introduction of electronic registration, finder rewards, and structured disposal procedures demonstrates Dubai’s commitment to efficient governance, the protection of property rights, and the enhancement of public trust in government institutions.

We at Ayesha Aldhaheri Advocates & Legal Consultants closely monitor legislative developments in the UAE and assist individuals, businesses, and institutions in understanding and complying with evolving legal requirements.