Is tenant responsible for deep cleaning wear and tear?« Back to Previous Page
|
My landlord is saying we have to pay for the entire apartment to be professionally deep cleaned before we move out next month, but we've been here for three years and the walls are stained from the AC units and the grout in the kitchen is permanently discolored. It feels like we're being charged for normal wear and tear. Are these things actually the tenant's responsibility to fix, or should the landlord cover it?
|
| ▲ ▼ |
Under Dubai's rental law, tenants are responsible for returning the property in the same condition as at handover, minus reasonable wear and tear. Staining on walls directly caused by year-round AC operation and grout discoloration from years of use are typically considered normal wear and tear, not tenant damage.
The burden of proof is on the landlord to demonstrate that the condition exceeds normal wear. For AC-related staining, this is a very common issue here due to our high humidity and constant AC use, which causes condensation and can lead to microbial growth or dust accumulation around units. Permanent grout discoloration in a kitchen after three years is also expected. Request a copy of the original move-in inspection report to compare the documented condition. You are not obligated to pay for a full deep clean to address these issues. For a definitive assessment, you can engage an independent property inspection company to provide a professional report distinguishing damage from wear and tear; this report is often accepted by the Dubai Land Department if a dispute is filed. |
Please log in to post questions/answers:


