Questions & Answers
Liability for property maintenance costs at the end of lease
Dear,
Last year, 28th September 2017 to be exact, we rented 1 BHK Flat in Bur Dubai. The flat is old and since we required it on an urgent basis, we took the flat with unfixed things.
We as the tenant fixed whatever is needed (bathroom door, kitchen cabinets, bathroom ceiling...etc.). We decided not to renew the contract due to the maintenance issues we had encountered.
Now, the real state agent is asking us to pay the maintenance which quoted me for AED3500/- (kitchen and toilet ceiling change, full flat ceiling change, light change, switch change, kitchen exhaust fan change, all cleaning, shower pipe change, cabinet hinges repair, all materials and labours).
Do we really need to pay for this maintenance?
Please advice.
Highly appreciate your immediate answer.
Thanks & regards,
Dear questioner,
Please note that by moving into the property and accepting its conditions, you indirectly confirm that everything is ok and in working conditions that is satisfactory to you.
You cannot come back and say today that it was not working. On your exit from the unit, the landlord has the right to fix at your cost everything that is not working to be able to re-rent the unit.
Which means, at the handover date you should have made a snag list with the landlord to make sure that what he lists for the maintenance is true. Otherwise, now you just have to pay as per his statement.
