Can I repaint my rental villa in Dubai without permission?« Back to Previous Page

The paint in our rental villa's main living room in Jumeirah is starting to peel, especially on the wall that gets the afternoon sun. We’ve been here almost a year and my landlord isn't very responsive to cosmetic issues. I want to repaint it myself with a more heat-reflective, low-VOC paint to make it more comfortable and healthier, but I'm not sure if I need to get permission first or if I can just do it and keep the leftover paint for when we move out. What are the rules in Dubai about tenants making eco-friendly upgrades like this, and who typically covers the cost?
Posted by Andrzej Meyer
Asked on April 1, 2026 5:16 am
As a building environmental specialist here in Dubai, this is a very common question, especially with our harsh climate causing issues like peeling paint. The short answer is no, you absolutely should not repaint without written permission from your landlord.

Under the standard Dubai Rental Law (Law No. 26 of 2007), tenants are obligated to maintain the property in its original condition, and any material alteration without consent is a breach of contract. This includes painting, even if your intentions are eco-friendly. If you proceed, the landlord could potentially deduct the cost of repainting it back to the original color from your security deposit.

Your idea to use a heat-reflective, low-VOC paint is excellent for indoor air quality and thermal comfort. My professional recommendation is to formally propose this to your landlord. Frame it as a value-adding upgrade that will save on future maintenance for them. Offer to cover the cost of the premium eco-paint if they authorize the work and cover the labor, or negotiate a cost-sharing agreement. Ensure any permission is in writing, ideally as an addendum to your Ejari.

For a proper assessment of the peeling, it might be due to underlying moisture or substrate failure, not just sun exposure. We can provide a detailed inspection to identify the root cause. If you'd like us to take a look and provide a report you can share with your landlord, feel free to call us at 800-MOLDS or email hello@saniservice.com.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 2, 2026 7:02 pm