Is duct cleaning the landlord's responsibility for a rental?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), landlords are responsible for maintaining the structural parts of the property and its core systems, which includes the central AC unit itself. However, the ductwork is often considered part of the internal maintenance, which typically falls to the tenant.

Your symptoms—a new rattling noise and weak airflow after filter changes—point to a potential obstruction or mechanical issue within the system, not just surface dust. In Dubai's climate, with year-round AC use and high ambient dust, ducts can accumulate significant debris that restricts airflow and strains the fan motor. A professional inspection is needed to diagnose whether the issue is a simple clog, a dislodged damper, or a failing component in the AC unit.

Since you are renting, your first step is to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing (email is best) about the AC's performance issues. Describe the symptoms and state that basic troubleshooting (filter replacement) did not resolve it. They are obligated to ensure the provided appliance (the AC) is functional. They may choose to send their own technician for assessment.

If the technician's report confirms the problem is due to pre-existing or normal wear-and-tear duct contamination, the landlord should cover the cleaning as it restores the system to its original working condition. If the issue is determined to be a specific repair, like a broken fan blade, that is almost certainly the landlord's responsibility. You would typically only be responsible for cleaning if the cause was your own neglect, which changing filters shows was not the case.