The handover conversation before taking over a new commercial unit in Dubai often focuses on rent, fit-out permissions, and the condition of the space. A short set of questions specifically about access and security is just as worth asking, and is easy to miss amid everything else being discussed.
How Many Keys Exist, and Who Holds Them
Ask directly how many keys exist for the main entrance and, ideally, request that all of them are handed over to you at handover. If the landlord or previous tenant cannot give a confident answer, that uncertainty itself is useful information, and it is a reasonable basis for arranging a lock change shortly after moving in.
Whether an Access Card or Fob System Is in Place
Many Dubai commercial buildings use an access card or fob system for the main entrance, a shared lobby, or restricted areas such as a loading bay. Ask whether the unit is tied into such a system, how many credentials are currently issued, and who administers reissuing or deactivating them, since this is often the building's own management rather than your landlord directly. Our access card lockout service page covers these systems in more detail.
Alarm Codes and Security Systems
If the unit has an existing alarm system, ask whether the code will be reset for you or whether it needs to be changed. A previous tenant's staff retaining a working alarm code after handover is a common oversight, and resetting it is usually straightforward if raised early with whoever manages the system.
Shutter Locks and Rear or Side Entrances
If the unit has a roller shutter, a rear delivery entrance, or a side door, ask about these specifically rather than assuming the main door conversation covers them. Our roller shutter lockout service page covers shutter mechanisms if you run into an issue with one after moving in.
Whether Any Contractors or Service Providers Hold a Key
Ask whether cleaning companies, maintenance contractors, or security patrols employed by the previous tenant or the building itself hold a key or access credential, and whether those arrangements will continue under your tenancy or need to be renegotiated separately. This is easy to overlook since these relationships are often informal rather than documented in the lease itself.
Whether the Landlord Retains Their Own Access
Many commercial leases give the landlord or property manager a right to access the unit for maintenance, inspections, or emergencies. Ask directly whether this applies to your lease and, if so, how that access is arranged in practice, whether the landlord holds a key, uses a separate credential, or coordinates a visit with you in advance. Knowing this upfront avoids confusion later if you notice signs someone has entered the unit for a legitimate, previously agreed reason.
Condition of the Existing Lock
Beyond who holds a key, ask about or test the physical condition of the main entrance lock itself. A lock that already feels stiff, sticks, or has an inconsistent action is worth flagging early, whether or not you decide to change it entirely, since a worn lock is more prone to an inconvenient failure later.
What Was Included at the Previous Handover
If you are taking the unit over directly from a previous tenant rather than a landlord managing an empty unit, ask what they themselves were given when they moved in, and whether they are confident all of it has now been returned. This can surface gaps that neither party had specifically thought to check.
Asking About the Building's Own Security Arrangements
If your unit sits within a larger commercial building, ask what security measures apply at the building level, such as a manned reception, CCTV coverage in common areas, or after-hours access restrictions. This is separate from your own unit's lock and access setup, but it affects how you think about your overall security picture, and it is worth understanding rather than assuming.
Getting It in Writing
Where practical, get a brief written record of what was handed over: the number of keys, whether any access cards were issued, and confirmation that alarm codes have been reset. This does not need to be formal, even a short email summary is useful, but having some record protects you if a security question comes up later in the tenancy.
Asking About Shared Building Facilities
If your unit is inside a larger building or a shared commercial complex, also ask about any shared facilities you will have access to, such as a loading bay, a shared storage area, or communal parking with its own barrier or access system. These are sometimes covered by a completely separate credential from the unit itself, and it is easy to assume they are included when they are not, or vice versa.
Putting the Answers Together
Once you have gone through these questions, you will typically end up in one of two positions: either a reasonably clear picture of who holds access and confidence that it has all been accounted for, or genuine uncertainty on one or more points. Both are useful outcomes, since the second simply tells you where to focus before opening rather than leaving the question unexamined.
If the Answers Raise Concerns
If the handover conversation leaves you with genuine uncertainty about who might still have access to your new unit, a lock change is a reasonable and proportionate response rather than an overreaction. Our article on should you change the locks covers this decision in more detail, and our new business lock change service page covers how it is arranged.
Getting Help
To arrange a lock change or discuss access options for a new commercial unit in Dubai, call +971 55 222 1098, message us on WhatsApp, or use our online booking.
