Should I complain to landlord about smelly ducts?« Back to Previous Page

After the rain last month, I noticed a strange odor lingering in our living room ductwork, especially when the air conditioning is on. The musty smell seems to come from somewhere deep inside the vents. We’ve lived here for two years and just noticed this, but now we’re wondering whose responsibility it should be to get those ducts cleaned. Should I talk to my landlord about this?
Posted by Michiko Kimura
Asked on January 1, 2026 10:50 am
0
Absolutely, your concerns about the musty smell emanating from your ductwork warrant attention. Given that you've only just noticed this after two years of living here, it's wise to address this issue promptly.

In the UAE, particularly Dubai, there are no specific regulations mandating regular duct cleaning; however, poor indoor air quality can lead to health issues and discomfort for occupants, which is why proactive maintenance is often recommended. The smell you're experiencing could be due to moisture accumulation or mold growth within your HVAC system, especially after heavy rainfall.

It's important to act on this quickly as prolonged exposure to such smells may not only affect the comfort of your living space but also pose health risks. Before jumping into a complaint with your landlord, consider having an independent professional conduct an inspection first. This will provide you with detailed information about the condition of your ducts and whether cleaning is necessary.

You might want to reach out to a trusted service provider in Dubai for this purpose. They can assess the situation and offer appropriate recommendations based on their expertise. If they confirm that cleaning is needed, it would be reasonable to discuss the costs and responsibilities with your landlord, especially since this issue only recently surfaced.

Don’t hesitate to mention the potential health impacts of poor indoor air quality as a valid concern for your well-being and that of any other residents in the building. It’s always beneficial to approach such discussions constructively by providing evidence-based reasons why addressing this matter is important.

Remember, maintaining good indoor air quality contributes significantly to overall comfort and health. If you decide against an independent inspection initially, ensure regular maintenance check-ups with your landlord to prevent similar issues from arising again in the future.

Should you need assistance or have any queries regarding professional duct cleaning services, feel free to contact us at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com. We can help guide you through the process and ensure your air quality meets the standards for a comfortable living environment.

Take care and hope this helps!
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on January 5, 2026 4:46 pm