Dubai Enacts New Law on Lost and Abandoned Property for Public Protection and Transparent Recovery

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has issued Law No. (17) of 2025 governing the handling of lost and abandoned property in the emirate. The updated framework replaces the 2015 law and introduces clearer definitions, stronger owner protections and enhanced procedures for reporting, storing and disposing of lost items.

 

The Law defines “lost property” as money or movable items of legal and monetary value that have been unintentionally misplaced by their owner, excluding stray animals. “Abandoned property” covers items of value that the owner has intentionally or implicitly relinquished, also excluding stray animals.

 

Dubai Police are assigned full authority to receive reports, take possession of such property, store it securely and maintain detailed records, including descriptions, discovery dates, locations and finder information. An electronic system must be established to record all lost and abandoned items, issue announcements where necessary, and calculate storage and announcement costs.

 

Anyone who finds lost property -- other than public employees acting in an official capacity -- must register it in the Police’s electronic system within 24 hours and hand it over within 48 hours. They cannot keep, use or claim the item, and non-compliance may lead to criminal penalties. Property must be officially received through a documented process that records the item’s condition, the finder’s details and relevant circumstances of discovery.

 

Owners retain the right to reclaim their property before disposal, or to recover its value within three years if the item is sold. If the property is given away or otherwise disposed of without compensation, owners may still reclaim it from the person who possesses it. In cases of competing claims, the item or its value is released only to the claimant confirmed by a final court judgment. No claims are accepted without valid justification after three years from the date the item was officially announced as found, and owners must settle related storage and announcement costs.

 

The Law also allows Dubai Police to recognise finders with certificates of appreciation or financial rewards amounting to 10 per cent of the item’s value, up to Dh50,000. Conditions for granting such rewards are determined by the Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police. Finders may request to keep the property if no owner appears within a year, subject to Police regulations and the obligation to return the property should the owner later come forward.

 

Government and private entities are required to cooperate with Dubai Police, ensuring any found or abandoned items are registered and handed over within prescribed deadlines. Violations may result in written warnings and fines ranging from Dh500 to Dh100,000, which may double for repeat offences within a year, up to a maximum of Dh200,000.

 

Law No. (17) of 2025 replaces Law No. (5) of 2015 on the Disposal of Lost and Abandoned Property. Existing regulations remain in effect unless they conflict with the new provisions, pending the issuance of updated implementing decisions. The Law takes effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

 

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