AC Cleaning Responsibility: Tenant or Building Management?« Back to Previous Page

In Dubai's demanding climate, where air conditioning runs almost year-round and dust/sand accumulation is relentless, a caked evaporator coil is a common cause of poor cooling and exorbitant DEWA bills. The responsibility for cleaning it, however, depends on your tenancy contract and the specific system.

Typically, the maintenance and repair of the central chiller plant, main pipes, and building-wide infrastructure fall under the building management's responsibility and are covered by your service charges. However, the maintenance of the individual air handling unit (AHU or fan coil unit) inside your apartment and its components—including the coils, drip tray, and filters—is almost always the responsibility of the tenant. This is a standard clause in most Dubai rental contracts (Law No. 26 of 2007, amended by Law No. 33 of 2008, generally places internal unit maintenance on the tenant unless otherwise stated).

Given the unit is on your balcony and caked with debris, this is almost certainly your tenant-owned fan coil unit. A dirty coil forces the compressor to work much harder, drastically reducing efficiency and increasing energy consumption, which explains your high bill.

For a case this severe, a simple DIY cleaning is not advised. Aggressive buildup can damage the delicate fins, and improper cleaning may not resolve underlying issues like microbial growth or a clogged condensate drain, which pose health risks in our high humidity.

I strongly recommend a professional inspection and hygienization service. A company like Saniservice specializes in this. Their certified technicians will not only deep-clean the coils to restore efficiency and cooling but also treat them with anti-microbial solutions to prevent mold and bacteria, which are common in our humid environment. This will protect your health, lower your bills, and extend the life of your AC unit.

For a definitive assessment and to schedule a service, you can contact them directly at 800-66537 or via email at hello@saniservice.com.