Quick answer: If you are leaving Dubai for the summer, move anything made of wood, leather, fabric or electronics into self storage in Business Bay kept at 22 to 24°C, not a shut flat or a hot garage. At Expert Movers Packer, units start from AED 400 + VAT a month. Suitcases alone start from AED 100 per bag a month.
Every year from late May our phone gets busy with the same kind of message. A family on Marasi Drive is flying out the week schools close. A couple near Bay Square will be away for three months. They all want to know two things: what happens to their things in the heat, and is it cheaper to keep the flat or to store everything and give it up.
This guide answers both, with the real numbers we work with every summer.
What does a Dubai summer do to things left behind?
From June to September, average highs in Dubai sit around 39 to 42°C, and humidity can come close to 90% on summer days (Bayut). Inside a flat with the AC switched off and the blinds down, the air gets hot and stays damp. That mix is hard on almost everything you own.
Here is what we see most often when people come back, and what helps.
Wooden furniture
Wood takes in moisture and then dries out as the temperature swings. Over a few months that can open small cracks, loosen joints and make doors and drawers stick. A steady temperature is what protects it, so wood should go into a cool unit with a little air around it.
Leather sofas, bags and shoes
Leather dries in the heat and can crack or peel. In damp air it can also grow mould, often on the underside where you do not see it until you are back. Clean and condition leather before storage and cover it with a cotton sheet, not plastic.
Mattresses, sofas and clothes
Fabric holds moisture. A mattress left for three months in a closed flat can come back with a musty smell that does not wash out. Everything soft should be completely dry before it is packed, and mattresses should be stored off the floor in a breathable cover.
Electronics and anything with a battery
TVs, laptops, consoles and speakers do not like long spells of heat. Batteries suffer most. Take batteries out of remotes, toys and devices before you store them, and carry laptops and tablets with you if you can.
Photos, books and documents
Paper curls and photos can stick together in humid heat. Keep them flat in a sealed box with a few silica gel packs, and keep originals of important papers with you.
None of this means disaster if you leave things at home. It means the longer the trip and the hotter the room, the more a cool and steady unit is worth.
Is it cheaper to keep your flat or to store your things for the summer?
It depends on your rent, how long you are away and what your lease allows. You do not need us to guess your rent. Put your own numbers into this simple sum:
- Keeping the flat: your monthly rent × the months you are away, plus DEWA and chiller bills if the AC stays on.
- Storing and giving the flat up: the unit price × the months you are away, plus pickup (priced in your quote) and delivery back (AED 350 to 1,500, based on the load).
A worked example for a typical 1 bedroom: an 80 sq ft unit is AED 900 + VAT a month, so three months of storage is AED 2,700 + VAT, before pickup and delivery. Compare that with three months of your own rent and the answer is usually clear within a minute.
| Option | What you pay for 3 months | Risk to your things | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keep the flat empty | 3 months of rent, plus bills if the AC stays on | Heat and damp if the AC is off | Low |
| Sublet the flat | Rent, offset by what the tenant pays | Someone else is using your furniture | High: needs your landlord’s written approval |
| Give it up and store | Unit price × 3, plus pickup and delivery back | Low: 22 to 24°C, photo inventory and insurance | Medium: one move out and one move in |
For a full price list across all unit sizes, see our storage services in Dubai.
When keeping the flat still makes sense
We will be honest: storage is not always the better deal. Keep the flat if:
- You are away for less than a month or so
- Your lease does not end around your travel dates and breaking it would cost you a penalty
- You found a rent you would not get again in the same tower
- You can leave the AC on a timer and ask a friend to check the flat
In that case, a small unit for the things that matter most is still an option. Some residents keep the flat and store only rugs, leather pieces and boxes of photos while they are away.
What should you store, leave in the flat or carry with you?
Split your things into three groups before you book anything.
Store:
- Wooden and leather furniture, mattresses and sofas
- TVs and other large electronics (batteries removed)
- Rugs, curtains, bedding and winter clothes
- Bikes, golf bags and sports gear
Leave in the flat (if you are keeping it):
- Built-in furniture and fitted appliances
- Metal and plastic items that handle heat well
- A fridge, emptied, cleaned and left with the door slightly open
Carry with you:
- Passports, Emirates IDs and original documents
- Jewellery, watches and cash
- Laptops, hard drives and anything you cannot replace
Some things cannot go into storage at all. We do not accept food and other perishables, flammable liquids, gas cylinders, chemicals, live plants, animals, weapons, cash or anything illegal. If you are not sure about an item, ask us before pickup and we will tell you straight away.
How do you pack for summer storage in Dubai?
Good packing matters more for a summer store than for a normal move, because your things will sit for months. Follow these steps:
- Clean everything. Crumbs and food marks attract pests. Wipe down furniture, vacuum sofas and wash bedding.
- Dry everything fully. Never pack anything damp. One wet towel in a box can spread a smell to the whole load.
- Use breathable covers on wood and leather. Sealed plastic traps moisture against the surface. Our crew uses clean moving blankets and cotton covers.
- Take out batteries. Remotes, toys, clocks and tools all go in without batteries.
- Keep mattresses off the floor. Store them on their side or on a pallet, inside a breathable mattress bag.
- Label by room. When you come back, you will want the bedroom boxes first. Clear labels save hours on delivery day.
Glass, mirrors and crockery need a little more care. Our guide shows how to pack fragile items so nothing shifts in the box. If you would rather not pack at all, our packing service costs AED 200 to 800, based on volume.
Only storing suitcases? There is a cheaper option
Not everyone needs a full unit. If you are keeping the flat but want the spare room clear for guests, or you are a student going home for the summer, luggage storage may be all you need.
Suitcases start from AED 100 per bag a month. You can drop them at our Al Quoz facility or book a collection. If you have more than a few bags plus some boxes, a 30 sq ft unit at AED 400 + VAT a month usually works out better.
When should you book pickup from a Business Bay tower?
Book one to two weeks before your flight. The last week before school holidays is the busiest of the year for movers in Dubai, and the service elevators in Business Bay towers fill up fast too.
- Send photos on WhatsApp and get one written price for storage and pickup, usually within two hours.
- Get your move-out permit from building management.
- Book a service elevator slot. Our guide explains how to book the service elevator in Business Bay.
- Plan pickup two or three days before you fly, not on the last day. It leaves time to clean the flat and hand back the keys.
- Set your delivery week for when you are back. Delivery takes up to 24 hours from your call, and we can bring everything to a new flat if you are moving.
Our Al Quoz facility is about 15 to 20 minutes from Business Bay by Al Khail Road, and you have 24/7 access to your unit with your own code if you need something while you are still in town.
How are your things protected while you are away?
Every booking includes insurance up to AED 10,000, in transit and in storage. Cover starts when our crew picks up from your home and ends when we hand back the last item. You can read the details of our insurance cover before you book.
On pickup day the crew photographs every item and you receive a photo inventory list. Keep it on your phone while you travel. It is your record of what went into the unit and the condition it was in, and it is what we use if anything is ever questioned.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to store my things than to keep my Dubai flat over the summer?
Often, yes. Compare your rent for the months you are away with the unit price for the same months, plus pickup and delivery back. A 1 bedroom fits in an 80 sq ft unit at AED 900 + VAT a month, which is less than a month’s rent for most Business Bay flats.
Do I need climate controlled storage in Dubai?
For wood, leather, mattresses, fabrics and electronics, yes. Summer heat and humidity can warp, crack or bring mould to these items. Our units stay at 22 to 24°C all year.
Can I store perfume, aerosols or batteries?
Flammable liquids, gas and chemicals are not accepted, and many perfumes and aerosol cans fall into that group. Take batteries out of devices before storage. If you are unsure about an item, ask us before pickup.
How short can a storage contract be?
You pay month by month, with a one-month minimum. Booking for 3, 6 or 12 months can lower your monthly rate.
Can you deliver my things to a new flat when I come back?
Yes. Delivery back costs AED 350 to 1,500, based on the load, and takes up to 24 hours from your call. It can go to your old address or a new one anywhere in Dubai.
Book before the summer rush
The weeks before school holidays are when pickup slots and service elevators run out. Sorting your plan early costs nothing and saves a stressful last week.
See unit sizes, prices and pickup details for our climate controlled storage in Business Bay, or WhatsApp +971 50 231 2653 with photos for a fixed price. Not sure which unit you need? Our storage size guide for Business Bay flats walks through it room by room.
Written by the storage team at Expert Movers Packer, moving Dubai since 2010. Updated November 2026.
