Article 40, Dubai Law No. 6 of 2019Articles 821 to 824, Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025Dubai Building Code, Decree No. 45 of 2021Article 40 of Dubai Law No. 6 of 2019 sets the developer’s liability at 10 years for structural defects and a minimum of 1 year for mechanical, electrical, plumbing and finishing work.
Read the start date carefully. This is where most buyers lose time without knowing it. The 10 year structural period runs from the date of the building completion certificate, issued by Dubai Municipality for mainland projects and by Trakhees for Palm Jumeirah and the free zones. It does not start when you collect your keys. Legal commentary differs on whether the one year non-structural period runs from that same certificate date or from handover, so assume the earlier. If your building was certified months before your unit was released, part of that window is gone.
Separately, decennial liability for structural collapse and major defect now sits in Articles 821 to 824 of Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025, in force since 1 June 2026, replacing Federal Law No. 5 of 1985. Most snagging pages in this market still cite the repealed articles.
If a developer will not engage, the practical route is a written submission with a stated deadline, then a formal complaint to RERA through the Dubai REST app.
General information to help you understand your position, not legal advice.