Is AC coil cleaning a landlord's responsibility?« Back to Previous Page

The responsibility for AC coil cleaning in a rental property is typically defined by the tenancy contract. In most standard Dubai rental agreements, the landlord is responsible for the maintenance and repair of the AC unit itself, as it is considered a fixture of the property. However, general cleaning and upkeep, including cleaning the filters, often fall to the tenant.

A severely clogged coil, like the one you’ve described, directly impacts the unit's performance and energy consumption. The extreme dust and sand common in the UAE climate act as insulation, forcing the compressor to work much harder and consume significantly more electricity to achieve the same cooling. This directly addresses your high electricity bill and poor cooling.

For an issue of this scale, your first step is to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing, detailing the problem and including photos of the clogged coils. Explain that the compromised performance is causing excessive energy use. They are generally obligated to ensure the provided appliance is functioning efficiently. A professional inspection can confirm that the coil cleaning is necessary to restore basic function, which strengthens your case.

If the landlord is unresponsive, you can reference RERA's guidelines, which stipulate that landlords must maintain the property in a habitable condition, which includes functional cooling systems in Dubai's climate. For immediate resolution, you could propose splitting the cost or arranging the service yourself and deducting it from the rent, but this requires prior written agreement to avoid disputes. Always get any agreement in writing.