What are the rules for keeping a pet in a Dubai apartment and does it affect maintenance costs?

Keeping pets in a Dubai apartment involves navigating both your building's rules and your tenancy agreement, plus some practical maintenance considerations. On the rules: most Dubai apartment buildings set their own pet policies. Some are pet-friendly, some prohibit pets entirely, many allow small pets but not large dogs. Your situation with both a cat and a dog (and no complaints for a year) suggests your building may be permissive in practice. However, check your tenancy agreement specifically. If it prohibits pets and your landlord discovers them, they could use it as grounds to terminate the lease. Dubai Municipality requires dogs to be licensed annually, which includes microchipping. Cats do not require licensing. The penalty for an unlicensed dog is a fine. On maintenance impact: pets significantly increase wear and tear in specific ways. AC filters: pet dander and hair clog filters faster. With a cat and dog, clean your AC filters every 1-2 months rather than the standard 3 months. Have a full professional AC service annually. Flooring: scratching on vinyl or wood, and staining and odour retention in carpet. Walls: scratching and marking near doors and skirting boards. Soft furnishings: professional sofa and carpet cleaning every 6 months rather than annually is advisable. For your deposit, the key is documenting the condition thoroughly at move-in and keeping the apartment in genuinely good condition. Pet-related damage beyond normal wear and tear (scratched floors, stained carpets, strong odours) can legitimately be deducted from a deposit. BidMyJob.ae connects you with cleaning and AC maintenance professionals across Dubai.