Who pays for AC coil cleaning in a Dubai rental?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai's rental law, the responsibility for AC coil cleaning generally falls on the tenant as part of routine maintenance. The landlord is typically responsible for the structural integrity of the unit and any major repairs or replacements. A clogged coil is a maintenance issue resulting from regular use, especially in our climate where ACs run constantly and accumulate dust year-round.

Check your tenancy contract's maintenance clause for specifics. Many standard contracts explicitly state that the tenant is responsible for "regular AC servicing," which includes cleaning. However, if the neglect over three years has caused significant damage or a complete system failure, the line of responsibility can become blurred, and you may need to negotiate with the landlord.

For your immediate situation with high DEWA bills and poor cooling, a professional coil cleaning is necessary. A severely blocked coil forces the compressor to work much harder, increasing energy consumption by up to 30% in some cases. Given the visible grime you describe, this is likely the primary cause of your issues. A proper cleaning by a technician with the right tools can restore efficiency and cooling performance. It's a worthwhile investment to lower your bills and improve comfort.

Before proceeding, it's advisable to inform your landlord of the issue and your intention to have the coils cleaned, referencing the high energy consumption. They may agree to cover or share the cost to prevent further damage to their asset. If they refuse, the cost of the cleaning service is almost certainly yours to bear.