Dubai Enacts New Legislation on Lost and Abandoned Property

Dubai has rolled out a robust legal framework aimed at regulating the management of lost and abandoned property throughout the emirate. Enacted by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Law No. (17) of 2025 supersedes older laws from the past decade, implementing stricter timelines for reporting and clearer definitions along with a digital tracking system overseen by Dubai Police.

This new law distinctly categorizes lost property—items misplaced unintentionally—and abandoned property, which is defined as valuable items that owners intentionally relinquish. Stray animals do not fall under either category.

Under this updated system, Dubai Police serves as the primary authority for accepting reports, securing properties, and maintaining thorough digital logs—including item descriptions, reporting dates, locations, and details about the individuals who found them. The police will also provide an online platform specifically for recording and managing such cases.

One major obligation for the public is that anyone who discovers lost property must log it in the police's electronic system within 24 hours and surrender it within 48 hours. Keeping, using, or claiming the item is strictly prohibited, with breaches potentially resulting in criminal charges. Official receipts will be issued upon property handover, ensuring transparency.

The legislation lays out reclaiming procedures as well. Owners can retrieve their property prior to disposal or recover its value within three years if it has been sold. If an item is transferred without compensation as per the law, the original owner retains the right to take it back from its new possessor. Claims made beyond three years post-public announcement will only be entertained with valid reasons.

In instances of conflicting claims, the property will be awarded to the individual validated by a final court ruling. Owners reclaiming items will be liable for any storage or notification costs incurred by Dubai Police.

Additionally, the new law introduces motivational measures. Police have the discretion to reward individuals who return found items with either a certificate of appreciation or a monetary incentive, amounting to 10% of the item’s value, capped at AED 50,000. Furthermore, finders may request ownership of unclaimed items if no owner emerges within a year, although these must be returned if the original owner later appears.

All governmental and private organizations are required to comply with the directives of Dubai Police, including the registration and surrender of found items by defined deadlines. Non-compliance may attract written warnings or penalties ranging from AED 500 to AED 100,000, with repeat offences incurring double fines, potentially reaching AED 200,000.

Law No. (17) of 2025 officially replaces Law No. (5) of 2015 and becomes effective upon publication in the Official Gazette, marking a significant evolution in the management of lost and abandoned property in Dubai.