What can I do if my landlord won't return my security deposit in Dubai?

Your security deposit is refundable, less only the cost of genuine damage beyond normal wear and tear, and the agent is right that the obligation sits with the owner. Start with a formal written demand: a short letter or email to the landlord setting out the amount, attaching your tenancy contract, the deposit receipt, the handover inspection record, and your move-out photos, and giving a clear deadline of a week or two to pay. Send it in a form you can prove was received. If that produces nothing, the Rental Dispute Centre at the Dubai Land Department is the forum for deposit claims, and cases can be filed online with your documents. Filing carries a fee calculated from the claim, so weigh it against the amount, but be aware that many landlords pay promptly once they see a case has actually been opened — the demand letter mentioning the RDC sometimes does the job on its own. Two months of broken promises suggests the time for patience has passed. If the landlord still will not engage, a lawyer can handle the RDC filing for you, though many tenants manage the process themselves.