Am I responsible for fixing wear and tear?« Back to Previous Page

The responsibility for fixing wear and tear depends on the nature and cause of the issue, as outlined in Dubai rental law. Minor wear and tear from normal use is typically the tenant's responsibility. This often includes small maintenance items like lubricating sticky tracks, tightening loose cabinet hinges, or replacing light bulbs.

However, significant issues caused by the building's environment or inherent defects often fall to the landlord. The jammed balcony door track is a prime example; in Dubai's climate, the constant infiltration of fine sand and abrasive dust accelerates wear on sliding mechanisms, and this is considered an environmental factor beyond normal use. Similarly, if the cabinet issue is due to high humidity warping the wood or a faulty mechanism from installation, it may be the landlord's duty to rectify.

Your first step is to review your tenancy contract's maintenance clause, as it may specify responsibilities. Then, formally notify your landlord in writing about the sliding door, explaining it is jammed due to sand ingress—a common issue in Marina apartments exposed to wind-borne grit. For the cabinets, a professional assessment can determine if the misalignment is from simple use or a larger humidity-related problem.

Document everything with photos and dates. A landlord is generally responsible for ensuring the property remains habitable, and a completely jammed door that cannot be opened for emergency egress could be considered a breach of that. For any dispute, the Dubai Land Department is the final arbiter.