Building NOC for Moving in Dubai

Who issues the building NOC

A tower is a jointly owned property: the common areas, lifts and loading bays belong to all the owners and are run by an owners association, usually through a facility management company. That body decides who can use the service lift and when, so it issues the move approval.

In a master community you may need two approvals: the community permit to get the truck through the gate, and the building’s own approval for the lift. The permits guide explains the general process and lists the developer portals; this page covers the building’s part.

What buildings usually ask for

There is no single Dubai-wide form, but published rules show the same pattern. EDACOM’s Motor City handbook, for example, asks for a signed form two business days ahead, a confirmed date and the documents on the form. Expect a list like this:

• Ejari (tenants) or title deed (owners), and Emirates ID.
• The move date and a time slot inside the building’s moving hours.
• Details of the moving company: trade licence, the crew’s IDs and the vehicle, so security can check them at the gate.
• A refundable damage deposit or cheque, if the building holds one.
• For a move-out: confirmation from the owner that the tenancy has ended, and sometimes clearance letters for utilities.

Building fees and deposits

Many buildings charge nothing for the approval. Where there is a charge, it is set by the building, not the mover. Published Dubai price guides show these typical ranges:

Ask the building for its figure in writing, and if the mover’s quote includes a building fee, check it matches what the building actually charges.

Inspection and getting the deposit back

Damage to lifts, corridors and doors is charged to the resident, even when the movers caused it. DHCM’s community rules say residents pay for common-area damage during a move, and EDACOM’s rules hold the owner or occupier responsible for damage caused by their mover. Protect yourself with the same steps either way:

• Walk the route with building staff before the move and photograph existing marks on lift walls, doors and floors.
• Make sure the mover fits lift protection before loading starts.
• Do the walk-through again at the end and have the mover’s representative sign it with building staff.
• Ask when and how any deposit will be refunded, and keep the receipt.

The EDACOM Motor City handbook is a good model: a joint inspection with photographic evidence before and after the move, so you are not charged for damage that was already there.

Building NOC for moving out

Moving out usually takes more paperwork than moving in, because the building wants to know the unit is cleared. wasl, for example, asks for a NOC from the owner and gas and chiller NOCs. Close your DEWA and district cooling accounts for the move-out date (utilities guide) and follow the move-out checklist so the building can sign off on the day.