Even a well-planned move can hit a snag. Movers arrive late, a sofa gets scratched, the building refuses entry without a permit you never heard of, or your old landlord suddenly disputes the deposit. Knowing the common home moving problems and solutions before moving day means you can prevent most of them and handle the rest calmly.
This guide covers the problems UAE movers report most often, what causes them, and exactly what to do when each one lands on your doorstep.
Quick Answer
The most common home moving problems are: movers arriving late or cancelling, surprise extra charges, damaged or lost items, building access refused for missing permits, utility gaps between properties, and deposit or repair disputes with the landlord. Almost all of these are preventable with written quotes, building permits booked early, photographed inventory, and keeping all agreements in writing.
Common Home Moving Problems and Solutions at a Glance
| Problem | Main cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Movers arrive late or cancel | Overbooking at month-end; no written booking | Written confirmation with date and time; reconfirm 48 hours before |
| Price higher than quoted | Verbal quote; scope changed on the day | Written quote with itemised scope; agree changes in writing before work continues |
| Damaged or lost items | Rushed handling; no condition record | Photograph items before and after; report damage immediately in writing |
| Building refuses move-in/out | Missing move permit or deposit | Book permits and service lift with building management a week ahead |
| No power or water at new home | Utility transfer timed too late | Schedule transfers with a one-day overlap; keep confirmation numbers |
| Deposit dispute with landlord | Unclear handover condition; no evidence | Photograph the property at move-in and move-out; get handover notes signed |
Mover-Related Problems
Problem: The movers are late or don’t show up
This happens most at month-end and on weekends, when some companies overbook. The fix starts before moving day: get your booking in writing with a specific arrival time, not just a date, and call to reconfirm 48 hours beforehand. If they are running late on the day, ask for a realistic arrival time rather than a vague promise, and have a backup company’s number saved in your phone just in case.
Problem: The final bill is much higher than the quote
This is the single most complained-about moving issue. It almost always traces back to a verbal quote or a scope that changed on the day (“we didn’t know about the second storage room”). Protect yourself: insist on a written, itemised quote after a site survey. If the crew says extra work is needed on the day, agree the additional cost in writing before they proceed. A company that refuses to put it in writing is telling you something.
Planning ahead avoids most of this. If you haven’t read it yet, our guide on how to plan a smooth house move walks through the quoting and booking process in detail, and our home moving services checklist lists the questions to ask before you sign anything.
Problem: Items are damaged, scratched, or missing
Furniture dings and scratched floors are the classic moving-day damage. Your leverage depends entirely on evidence:
- Photograph high-value items before the movers touch them, and photograph the property itself (walls, floors, doors) before and after the move.
- Note damage on the day. Walk through with the crew leader and point out anything damaged as it is unloaded.
- Report in writing immediately. Email or message the company the same day with photos. Check your written agreement for the claims process and any time limit.
- Know the cover limit. Basic transit cover from movers is often limited, so ask what it actually covers before moving day, not after.
For protecting your belongings beyond moving day, it is worth understanding what home insurance in the UAE typically covers and what it doesn’t.
Building Access Problems
Problem: The building won’t let the movers in
Many UAE residential towers require a move-in or move-out permit, a refundable deposit, and a booked service lift. If you show up without them, security can and will turn the truck away, and you still pay the movers for the wasted trip. This is entirely preventable: contact building management at least a week before the move, ask for their exact requirements in writing, and confirm the service lift booking the day before.
Problem: The truck can’t park or access the building
Loading bays get double-booked, and some buildings have tight access for larger trucks. Ask building management where the movers should park and whether there are vehicle size limits. Tell your moving company about any constraints when you book, not when the truck is already circling the block.
Utility and Admin Problems
Problem: No electricity, water, or internet at the new place
Utility transfers that are requested too late leave you sleeping in a dark apartment. Schedule electricity and water transfers with at least a one-day overlap so both properties have power during the transition, and book internet installation early since technician appointments can take several days. Keep every confirmation number and reference in one place until everything is working.
Problem: Ejari and paperwork fall through the cracks
In Dubai, your tenancy needs Ejari registration, and the old contract needs cancelling when you leave. If nobody confirms who is handling it, the paperwork drifts. Clarify responsibility with your landlord or the new property’s management company in writing, and don’t treat the move as finished until the new Ejari is in your hands.
Deposit and Handover Problems
Problem: The landlord withholds part of the deposit
Deposit disagreements are common enough that they deserve their own preparation. The usual triggers are cleaning charges, claimed damage, and unpaid bills. Your defence is evidence: photograph and video the property thoroughly at move-in and again at move-out, keep receipts for professional cleaning, and settle final utility bills before handover. Get the handover condition noted and signed by both sides.
If a disagreement turns into a genuine dispute, our guide to rental deposit disputes explains how these cases are typically handled and what evidence matters most.
Problem: Repair blame game at handover
Landlords and tenants often disagree about who caused pre-existing damage versus moving-day damage. If you are a tenant, report maintenance issues in writing during your tenancy, not just at handover, so there is a record. If you are a landlord, document the property’s condition with dated photos at the start of every tenancy. When a landlord refuses to carry out repairs they are responsible for, see what to do if a landlord refuses repairs.
When a Problem Becomes a Dispute
Most moving problems are solved with a phone call, a written complaint, and persistence. But some escalate:
- Against a moving company: keep every message, quote, photo, and receipt. A formal written complaint to the company comes first; if they ignore it, you can escalate through the consumer protection channels on the official UAE government portal.
- Against a landlord or tenant: in Dubai, rental disagreements that can’t be settled directly go to the Rental Disputes Settlement Centre under the Dubai Land Department. Cases need documented evidence, which is exactly why photographing everything at move-in and move-out matters so much.
For the full process of documenting and escalating rental disagreements, read our guide on how to handle a rental dispute.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should I do if the movers damage my furniture?
Document it the same day: photograph the damage, note it with the crew leader before they leave, and send a written claim to the company with photos within 24 hours. Check your written agreement for the claims procedure and any deadline. Without a written record made promptly, claims become very hard to pursue.
Can a building really stop my move?
Yes. Building management in the UAE can refuse move-in or move-out access if their permit, deposit, or service-lift requirements aren’t met. This is standard practice in many towers, not an exception. Always confirm the building’s moving rules at least a week in advance and get them in writing.
How do I avoid surprise charges from movers?
Get a written, itemised quote after a site survey, and make sure it lists everything: packing materials, dismantling, number of crew, truck size, and any extra services. If anything changes on the day, agree the new price in writing before the work continues. Never accept “we’ll sort it out later.”
What if my landlord won’t return my deposit after I move out?
Start with a written request referencing your handover evidence and final bills. If the landlord still refuses without a valid reason, the matter can be taken to the rental dispute authority in your emirate. Dated photos of the property at move-in and move-out are the single most useful piece of evidence in these cases.
Who is responsible for utility disconnection at the old property?
Generally, you are responsible for closing or transferring your own utility accounts when you leave. Request final bills, pay them, and keep the clearance receipts; landlords often ask for these at handover before releasing the deposit.
The Bottom Line
Nearly every common moving problem in the UAE has the same root: something was assumed instead of confirmed. Written quotes, written building permits, written handover notes, and photographs of everything important turn most moving-day crises into minor inconveniences. Plan for the problems and you will rarely meet them.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Asandada24, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Asandada24 is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.