Who is responsible for cleaning inside air ducts?« Back to Previous Page

My landlord is doing the annual AC deep cleaning today and the maintenance guys are saying the vents are caked with dust. I’ve been wiping down the grilles every few months, but they're pointing to a ton of buildup deep inside the ducts. Who is supposed to handle this kind of internal cleaning, me as the tenant or the building management?
Posted by Timothy Thomas
Asked on March 21, 2026 8:56 pm
0
In the UAE, particularly in Dubai, the responsibility for cleaning inside air ducts is typically defined by your tenancy contract and building regulations. Generally, the internal ductwork that serves your individual unit is the landlord's responsibility to maintain, as it is a core part of the property's fixed air conditioning system. The annual deep cleaning of the AC unit itself, which your landlord is conducting, is standard practice. However, the extensive buildup within the ducts themselves points to a separate, more serious issue.

Dubai's climate, with its high levels of airborne dust, sand, and humidity, combined with year-round AC usage, causes ducts to become reservoirs for contaminants much faster than in other climates. Simply wiping the grilles is surface-level maintenance and does not address the microbial growth and particulate accumulation deep within the system.

For health and efficiency reasons, this needs professional attention. We strongly recommend you request a formal inspection from a specialized indoor environmental quality company like Saniservice. Our experts can conduct a video inspection of the ductwork to assess the level of contamination and provide a definitive report. This report can be presented to your landlord or building management to clearly establish the necessity and responsibility for a proper hygienization process.

Do not let the maintenance crew proceed with a standard clean if they have identified severe internal buildup; this requires specialized equipment and techniques. For an immediate assessment and to ensure your indoor air quality is safe, please call our experts at 800-66537 or email hello@saniservice.com.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on March 26, 2026 1:18 pm