Who is responsible for fixing a rental apartment's AC?« Back to Previous Page

Based on UAE rental law, specifically Law No. (26) of 2007, the responsibility for major repairs and maintenance of the property's core systems, including the central air conditioning unit itself, falls squarely on the landlord. The AC is considered an essential fixture of the property, not a mere appliance.

However, there's a critical distinction. As a tenant, you are typically responsible for routine maintenance, such as replacing the air filters every 3 months, cleaning the fan coils, and ensuring the drain lines are not clogged. This is often stipulated in the tenancy contract. The constant rattling noise and significant loss of cooling efficiency you're describing, coupled with a skyrocketing DEWA bill, strongly indicate a problem far beyond simple maintenance. This points to a potential compressor issue, failing motor bearings, or a refrigerant leak – all of which are major repairs that are the landlord's legal obligation.

Your first step is to formally notify your landlord in writing (email is best for a paper trail) detailing the issue, its duration, and the financial impact (the high DEWA bill). Clearly state that the problem requires professional diagnosis and is not resolvable through routine tenant maintenance. If they remain uncooperative, you can file a complaint with the Rental Dispute Center (RDC) in Dubai.

Given the symptoms, we strongly recommend a professional inspection to diagnose the exact fault. This provides documented, technical evidence you can present to your landlord. For a thorough assessment, you can call our certified technicians at 800-MOLDS or email hello@saniservice.com. We can identify the root cause and provide a detailed report to support your case with the property owner.