Who handles musty AC smell: tenant or landlord?« Back to Previous Page

The responsibility typically falls to the landlord or building management. Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), the landlord is responsible for maintaining the central structure and essential services of the property, which includes the central air conditioning system and its main ducts. As a tenant, your responsibility is generally limited to changing filters and basic maintenance of the indoor unit you can access.

A persistent damp sock odour, especially one spreading to your closet, strongly indicates microbial growth within the ductwork or the AC’s evaporator coil. This is a common issue in Dubai due to high humidity levels and year-round AC operation creating constant condensation. Simply changing the filter will not resolve it, as the source is deeper within the system.

Your first step is to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing (email is best), describing the smell and its duration. Request a professional inspection and cleaning of the entire AC system. They should engage a provider who can conduct a thorough cleaning of the evaporator coil and ductwork, not just a superficial spray. For verification, you can ask if the service includes before-and-after testing to confirm the microbial source has been addressed. If the smell is pervasive, this is a health and habitability issue the landlord must rectify.