What should I do if the repair charge for my last flat is overcharged?

Hello,

If you believe your repair charges are overcharged, the first step is to review the invoice and any related agreements carefully.

You may also request a detailed breakdown from the landlord or management. If you suspect unfair charges, you have the right to dispute them through the relevant rental dispute resolution center or court.

To fully understand your rights and the best course of action, we recommend booking a consultation or appointing our firm to assist you directly.

You can book a consultation with Future Vision for Advocacy and Legal Consultancy via our website.

Dear Questioner,

Thank you for your question!

If you believe that the repair charges for your flat are overcharged, here are the steps you can take:

- Request a detailed invoice or breakdown of the repair costs from the landlord or maintenance company.

- Compare prices by getting quotes from other contractors for the same repairs.

- If you still believe the charges are unfair, you can file a complaint with the Rental Disputes Center in Dubai or the relevant authority in your emirate.

Keep all documents and communications as evidence.

If you want, we can assist you in reviewing the charges and guide you on the best legal steps.

Please let us know how you wish to proceed.

Best regards,

Mohammed Salah

Legal Consultant

Thank you for reaching out!

If you believe that the repair charges for your previous flat have been unfairly inflated, you do have legal recourse in the UAE to challenge them. Here’s what I recommend you do:

- Request a Detailed Breakdown:

First, formally request a complete itemized breakdown of the repair charges from your landlord or property management company. This should include materials used, labor costs, and the justification for each charge.

- Review the Tenancy Contract:

Check your tenancy contract for clauses related to repair responsibilities, wear and tear, and the condition in which the property should be returned. In many cases, landlords cannot charge for normal wear and tear.

- Collect Evidence:

If possible, gather photos or videos of the flat’s condition at the time of handover. Also, retain any communication you had with the landlord about the move-out and handover process.

- Independent Assessment:

If the charges still appear excessive, we can arrange for an independent expert to assess the actual cost of the claimed repairs and issue a report. This report will be helpful if we need to file a formal complaint.

- File a Complaint at the Rental Dispute Center:

If the landlord is unwilling to negotiate or adjust the charges, we can escalate the matter to the Rental Dispute Center in Dubai (or the equivalent in your emirate), where we will challenge the overcharges formally and seek a refund or reduction.

I’d be happy to assist you step by step through this process, including reviewing your contract, drafting legal notices, and representing you before the authorities if needed.

Please reach out to me directly on WhatsApp or call me at [-----------] so we can schedule a consultation and start resolving this for you.

Dear questioner,

Send a formal written communication to your landlord or property management company. If direct communication doesn't resolve the issue, you can escalate the complaint to the Rental Dispute Centre.

If you need more details, kindly share your WhatsApp number.

File a complaint with the Rental Disputes Settlement Committee of the municipality or the Land and Rent Department in the emirate to which you belong (such as RERA in Dubai or Sharjah Municipality).

Attach the following:

- The lease,

- The invoice,

- Proof of payment, and

- Any alternative estimates or quotations.

For assistance, please contact us via phone or WhatsApp on [------------].

Hello,

If you suspect that the repair charges for your last flat have been overcharged, you have the right to request a detailed breakdown and official receipts for all repairs from your landlord or the property management.

Review your tenancy contract as it should clearly state which repairs are your responsibility and which are the landlord’s.

If you feel the charges are unfair or not properly justified, you can formally dispute them in writing.

If the issue is not resolved, you also have the option to file a complaint with the Dubai Rental Dispute Settlement Center (RDSC).

If you need help reviewing your contract, drafting a dispute letter, or preparing your complaint, we can assist you through each step of the process. Please let us know if you would like our support.

Best regards,

Thank you for contacting us via Legal Advice Middle East!

Your case reflects a common issue we’ve handled many times, where tenants are charged inflated repair fees after vacating a unit.

In a nearly identical case, we represented a client who was billed for full repainting and ceiling repairs without proper justification.

We challenged the deductions and recovered the full amount after demonstrating that the charges exceeded normal wear and tear and lacked proper documentation.

Legally, your landlord cannot enforce deductions unless they are based on real damages proven by reports or invoices, and not part of ordinary usage. If you believe the charges are exaggerated, you have the full right to contest them.

The most suitable course is first to demand a written breakdown and justification for every charge, including photos, quotes, and contractor details.

If the response is vague or unjustified, the smart legal step is to raise a case with the Dubai Rental Disputes Center, which has ruled in favor of tenants in similar cases we’ve handled.

We’re fully prepared to assist you in filing a formal objection, preparing the necessary documents, and representing you professionally to recover any excessive amount.

To begin, we would need a copy of your tenancy contract, move-out report, and the repair bill.

Our legal team speaks Arabic, English, Russian, Hindi, and Chinese to support you confidently.