Can I dispute carpet cleaning charges for pre-existing wear?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai rental law, tenants are typically responsible for returning the property in the same condition as at the time of handover, accounting for fair wear and tear. The key document here is the initial Ejari-registered tenancy contract and its attached move-in inspection report.

If the pre-existing stains and wear were not documented in that initial report, the landlord's claim for professional cleaning charges becomes much harder to dispute. Without that proof, it defaults to your word against theirs. For future reference, always ensure every flaw is meticulously photographed and written into the handover report at move-in.

You can still push back. Gather any photos you may have taken when you moved in, even personal ones that incidentally show the carpet's condition. Write a polite, firm email to the landlord or property manager stating that the carpet had significant pre-existing wear and that you are not liable for its cleaning or replacement due to that normal wear and tear. Mention that you expect your full security deposit to be returned upon vacating.

For a heavily soiled carpet in our climate—where year-round AC use traps humidity and dust—a standard cleaning may not suffice, and the landlord might be insisting on a deep clean. However, the charge should be proportionate to the carpet's age and initial condition. If the dispute escalates, you can file a case with the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDSC) in Dubai, but this requires time and potentially some cost. Your strongest leverage is the lack of documentation on their part for the initial condition.