Move-in day does not always land on a convenient weekday. Weekend and public holiday move-ins are common in Dubai, especially when tenants are working around their own notice periods or travel schedules, but they also mean the people who would normally resolve a handover problem, such as your agent or the landlord, may not be reachable straight away.
Why Weekend and Holiday Move-Ins Carry More Risk
A handover problem that would be a quick phone call away from being fixed on a weekday can turn into a longer wait on a weekend or during a public holiday, simply because fewer people are available to help. Property management offices may be closed, and an agent who normally responds quickly during the week may not check messages until the next working day.
Moving companies and removal trucks are also often booked around weekends, since it tends to be more convenient for tenants who work standard weekday hours. This means a weekend move-in day frequently involves more moving parts at once, a delivery team, furniture, and the property access itself, all needing to align without the usual weekday support from an agent or property manager close at hand.
Planning Ahead if You Can
If you know your move-in date will fall on a weekend or holiday, it is worth confirming with your landlord or agent in advance exactly how keys or access will be handed over, and getting a direct phone number for someone reachable that day if anything goes wrong. This will not prevent every handover issue, but it does mean you are not starting from zero if something does not go to plan.
What to Do if You Are Already Locked Out
- Try reaching the landlord, agent, or property manager directly, even if you expect they may be unavailable, since some do still respond on weekends for a move-in issue.
- Check with building security or a neighbour if the property is in a managed building, in case keys were left with them instead of you.
- If nobody can be reached and you have your tenancy contract, Ejari, lease, or sale agreement available, a locksmith visit is a practical way to get inside without waiting for the next business day.
How a Locksmith Visit Works Without the Landlord Present
Our technician can verify your connection to the property directly through your tenancy contract, Ejari, lease agreement, or trade licence, without needing the landlord or agent present, provided you can show a genuine document connecting you to that specific address. If you do not have documentation available, a phone confirmation from the landlord or agent, once reachable, is the alternative route.
Public Holidays Worth Planning Around
Dubai's public holiday calendar includes several periods, such as Eid holidays and National Day, where many businesses close for more than a single day. If your move-in date happens to fall during one of these periods, it is worth assuming your usual contacts may be unreachable for longer than a typical weekend, and confirming your access arrangements a few days in advance rather than waiting until the holiday itself begins.
What If You Are Moving From Outside the UAE
Tenants and business owners moving to Dubai from abroad sometimes plan their move-in date around a flight schedule that does not line up neatly with business hours, arriving late at night or on a weekend by necessity rather than choice. If this applies to you, having your tenancy or lease documents saved digitally on your phone before you travel, rather than only in printed form in checked luggage, can make a locksmith visit considerably more straightforward if you do need one on arrival.
After You Are In
Once inside, it is worth documenting what happened, including how you were eventually able to access the property, in case you need to discuss the handover process with your landlord or agent once they are reachable again. This is also a reasonable moment to consider whether the locks should be rekeyed, particularly for a residential move.
For the fuller picture on move-in day lockouts, see our move-in day lockout service page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you operate on weekends and public holidays in Dubai?
Our service operates 24/7 for emergencies, including weekends and public holidays. We cannot promise a specific arrival time here, but you can contact us directly to discuss your situation.
What if I do not have my tenancy contract yet because the process is still being finalised?
Let our technician know when you contact us. A phone confirmation from your landlord or agent, once reachable, is usually the alternative if paperwork is not yet finalised.
Is it more expensive to call a locksmith on a weekend or holiday?
We are not able to quote prices here. Our technician can confirm the cost for your specific situation when you contact us.
Should I try to enter through a balcony or another window if the door will not open?
This is not something we recommend, both for safety reasons and because it may not actually be necessary. Contacting a locksmith is a more reliable and safer way to gain proper access through the door itself.
