Who is responsible for AC duct cleaning in a rental?« Back to Previous Page

Standard tenancy contracts in Dubai typically place responsibility for the internal maintenance of the AC system, including duct cleaning, on the tenant. This is considered part of the routine upkeep of the property, similar to changing air filters. However, if the ducts have never been cleaned since construction and the buildup is severe, you may have a case to discuss with the landlord, especially if it's impacting health.

Given your description of visible buildup and the symptoms, a professional inspection is strongly advised. The combination of high humidity and fine dust in our climate allows microbial growth and particulate accumulation deep inside ducts that a simple wipe-down cannot address. This environment frequently contributes to the irritation you've described.

For a definitive answer on responsibility, review your tenancy agreement's maintenance clause. Regardless of who pays, addressing it is crucial. A proper duct cleaning service should use video inspection to show the internal condition and provide before-and-after evidence of particulate removal, not just clean the vent covers. This verifiable result is what separates a thorough job from a superficial one. In cases of suspected biological contamination, a lab analysis of a swab sample can identify the specific irritants present.