Under Dubai tenancy law, the landlord is generally responsible for maintenance and repairs that affect the tenant’s use of the property, unless the tenancy contract states otherwise. Those few words are where most maintenance disputes begin. Whatever the issue, one rule stays the same: never stop paying rent.

Article 16 places maintenance on the landlord by default, but most tenancy contracts shift minor repairs to the tenant. The threshold is commonly AED 500–1,000, although only your contract decides the figure. Before arguing, read the agreement carefully. Check the maintenance limit, how it defines defects, and who is responsible for air conditioning, as servicing, chiller charges, and equipment failure are often treated separately.

The biggest mistake tenants make is withholding rent until repairs are completed. This is not a rec ...