Welcome to the bustling world of renting in the UAE, a landscape filled with opportunities and responsibilities! As a renter, you’ve probably encountered the dilemma of deciphering what falls under your maintenance duties and what doesn’t. It’s a common area of confusion, but fear not—we’re here to demystify this for you. In this insightful guide, we delve into the essential distinctions between major and minor maintenance responsibilities in your rental agreement. Our aim? To empower you with the knowledge to manage your rental property efficiently and avoid any unnecessary disputes or costs. So, let’s dive in and turn you into a savvy, informed tenant in the UAE!

In the UAE, rental contracts (the first official pages) typically follow the rules of Dubai.

UAE tenancy law framework

One of our major beef with contracts and issues typically faced by our clients is the addendum. The truth of the matter is that people don’t fully understand their terms. In reality, they are rarely created by lawyers; they are typically created by individuals who went to charm school, not law school. Where the interests of the client and the renter are possibly marred by a conflict of interest as the agent is typically listing the unit on behalf of the landlord.

One of the largest issues our clients face before we step in is obtaining the security deposit back at the end of the tenancy, where the owner or their representative inspects the unit and tries to deduct funds for repairs that seem to come out of absolutely nowhere. It’s a common problem.

One of the processes we undergo for our clients is a property inspection report, where the unit condition, good or bad, upon signing and exit, is inspected, noted, highlighted, and documented with images to protect both parties. We check everything. Down to the kitchen sink.

For our clients, we create a very simple addendum for maintenance that covers and protects both parties under the major/minor maintenance clause. Where the maintenance figure used to be 250 AED, we are now seeing contracts with a 1000 AED minor clause. This BLOWS our minds. When did minor maintenance cover the price of a monthly shop?

Contracts are not demands; they are a meeting place for requirements. From both parties, while you may feel thoroughly obliged to sign your life away, consider the following: