Let’s dive into the ‘major’ question in landlords’ and tenants’ minds.
For Dubai's dynamic and ever-growing population, the rental market offers a vast array of property options as well as flexibility and convenience. However, renting a property comes with a shared responsibility of property maintenance for tenants and landlords, a tricky issue that could directly impact comfort, safety, and the property's value. To understand exactly who’s responsible for what when it comes to maintenance jobs, here’s a useful guide to the legal framework, regulations, and best practices.
What the law says
According to Article 16 of Law 26 of 2007, the main responsibility for property maintenance falls on the landlord, unless stated otherwise in the tenancy agreement. Typically, minor maintenance tasks are the responsibility of the tenant, while major maintenance (the bigger jobs) are the landlord’s responsibility.
Minor versus major
The definition of 'minor' and 'major' maintenance can be a grey area, but general guidelines include the landlord handling equipment related issues like AC, water heaters, and water pumps, while tenants are responsible for minor matters such as leaking faucets, blocked drains, and lightbulbs. Many tenancy contracts establish the division between minor and major maintenance based on the repair cost. If maintenance costs remain below AED 500, it is considered minor and the tenant's responsibility, whereas expenses exceeding AED 500 are categorised as major and become the landlord's obligation.
The pros of a Home Maintenance team
We now know that the usual scenario is that major maintenance lies on the landlord and minor maintenance on the tenant, but the question still often comes up – should there be an agreed financial threshold at which the landlord assumes responsibility for repairs? Dealing with this issue based solely on cost can be tricky. Sadly, some tenants may intentionally seek costly quotes to shift the responsibility to the landlord. To avoid this, involving a Home Maintenance team is useful for landlords, as it allows them to get reliable quotes from trusted partners for any necessary work. There’s also the option to get a Monthly Maintenance Agreement (MMA) to keep the property breakdown-free without any hidden costs.
Tenant negligence and responsibilities
It’s only fair that landlords shouldn’t be held accountable for repairs resulting from tenant negligence. Any intentional or unintentional damage to the property or equipment (beyond normal wear and tear) becomes the tenant's responsibility – this includes things like shattered windows or unreported leaks leading to damage to cabinets. Resolution of maintenance disputes In cases where there’s a strong dispute regarding maintenance costs, tenants and landlords can go to the Rental Dispute Settlement centre. This impartial body will evaluate the situation and decide the appropriate course of action.
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