AC issues causing sickness: landlord or tenant responsibility?« Back to Previous Page

Based on your description of the symptoms and the new rattling sound from the AC vent, this is a classic presentation of a contaminated HVAC system, likely dispersing allergens, mold spores, or other particulate matter into your bedroom air. The correlation between the noise and the onset of your symptoms is a critical diagnostic clue.

In the UAE, specifically Dubai, the responsibility for maintenance of central air conditioning systems, including the ductwork, falls squarely on the landlord or the property management company, as per the Dubai Rental Law. This is considered a fundamental part of the property's infrastructure. Tenants are typically only responsible for changing the filters in the indoor units, but a deep cleaning of the ducts and addressing mechanical issues like a rattling fan or blower wheel is the landlord's obligation. You should formally report this in writing to your landlord immediately, citing your health symptoms and the mechanical fault. Request that they arrange for a professional inspection and remediation.

Given the clear health impact (dry cough, itchy eyes), I strongly recommend you do not attempt to clean this yourself. Disturbing a contaminated system without proper containment can exacerbate the problem. This requires assessment and remediation by certified professionals. We can conduct a full indoor air quality (IAQ) test to identify the specific contaminants and provide a report for your landlord.

For immediate assistance, you can call our team at 800-MOLDS or 800-66537 to schedule an inspection. We'll identify if it's mold, dust, or a mechanical issue causing the problem and provide the necessary documentation for your landlord.