AC maintenance responsibility: tenant or landlord?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai tenancy law, the responsibility for AC maintenance depends on whether the unit is part of the building's central system or a standalone split unit. For individual split ACs, which are common in JVC apartments, the tenant is typically responsible for routine maintenance like filter cleaning and coil servicing, as these are considered part of the unit's normal upkeep to preserve its function.

The landlord is generally responsible for major repairs or full system replacements if the unit fails entirely. However, a lack of basic maintenance for three years in Dubai's climate—where ACs run year-round and accumulate heavy dust and microbial growth—can lead to performance issues like the rattling and poor cooling you describe. This could be seen as neglect, potentially shifting responsibility for the resulting damage.

Given the symptoms, a professional inspection is necessary to determine if the issue is just dirty coils or a more serious mechanical fault. Document the condition and formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing. They may agree to cover the cost if it's deemed a repair, but be prepared that routine cleaning may be your responsibility. For future reference, scheduling a coil cleaning every 12-18 months is advised to prevent this buildup and maintain efficiency.