Living in the UAE means air conditioning is not a luxury. It is essential to daily comfort, health, and basic habitability. Many tenants find themselves asking an uncomfortable question during the cooler months: if the air conditioning is faulty now, can the landlord be forced to fix it immediately, or must the tenant wait until summer arrives?
This question is more common than it seems, especially between November and March, when temperatures drop and some landlords delay repairs, assuming air conditioning is not urgently required. However, UAE tenancy rules are clearer than many people think, and tenants do have rights regardless of the season.
This guide breaks down what the law expects, what tenants can reasonably demand, and how to approach the situation without damaging the landlord-tenant relationship.
Air conditioning in the UAE is considered a core service of any residential property. Even during winter, temperatures can rise suddenly, humidity can increase, and indoor air circulation remains important for health and safety.
More importantly, the law does not classify air conditioning as a seasonal convenience. It is treated as a permanent fixture that must remain in working condition throughout the tenancy period.
If air conditioning is listed as part of the unit, whether as central cooling or split units, it must be maintained in usable condition at all times.
Under UAE tenancy regulations, landlords are responsible for maintaining the property and ensuring it remains fit for use throughout the lease period, unless the contract clearly states otherwise.
This responsibility includes:
Ensuring all fixed installations are functional
Maintaining essential systems like electricity, plumbing, and air conditioning
Fixing defects that prevent normal use of the property
Air conditioning falls squarely under essential systems. A malfunctioning AC is considered a defect, not an upgrade request.
In short, no. A landlord cannot legally delay necessary air conditioning repairs simply because it is winter.
The obligation to maintain the property applies year-round. If the AC is broken, leaking, not cooling properly, or making the apartment uninhabitable in any way, the landlord is expected to act once notified.
Delaying repairs based on weather is not supported by tenancy law or rental best practices in the UAE.
A tenant can reasonably insist on immediate repairs if the air conditioning problem:
Prevents normal use of the property
Affects health, comfort, or safety
Risks further damage to the property
Was not caused by tenant misuse
If the unit was handed over with a working AC and later developed issues due to normal wear and tear, the landlord remains responsible.
There are limited situations where repair responsibility may shift to the tenant.
These include:
Damage caused by negligence or misuse
Failure to clean filters when required by contract
Ignoring maintenance warnings that lead to damage
Some tenancy contracts include clauses requiring tenants to cover minor maintenance costs up to a certain amount. However, major AC repairs, compressor failures, or system breakdowns are usually the landlord’s responsibility.
Tenants should always check their contract carefully before taking action.
If the contract does not specifically mention air conditioning maintenance, general tenancy law applies.
In such cases, the landlord is responsible for maintaining the property in a condition suitable for living. Silence in the contract does not remove the landlord’s obligation.
Approach matters calmly and in writing. Clear communication often resolves issues without escalation.
Start by:
Reporting the issue as soon as it is noticed
Describing the problem clearly and factually
Requesting inspection and repair within a reasonable timeframe
Avoid emotional language. Keep the request professional and focused on habitability.
What is considered “reasonable” depends on the severity of the issue.
Minor faults may take a few days
Major breakdowns should be addressed urgently
Complete loss of cooling should not be delayed unnecessarily
If the AC failure makes the property uncomfortable or unhealthy, faster action is expected.
If the landlord fails to respond or repeatedly delays action, tenants have options.
These include:
Sending a formal written notice
Keeping records of communication
Requesting mediation through the relevant rental authority
Tenants should avoid withholding rent without legal advice, as this can create complications.
In some cases, tenants may be allowed to repair essential systems and deduct the cost from rent, but only under specific conditions.
This usually requires:
Proof the landlord was notified
Evidence of unreasonable delay
Proper documentation of repair costs
Doing this without proper notice can lead to disputes, so caution is advised.
Faulty air conditioning can lead to mold growth, poor air quality, and humidity-related health issues. For families with children, elderly residents, or individuals with medical conditions, this becomes even more serious.
These factors strengthen the tenant’s position when requesting timely repairs, regardless of the season.
The responsibility remains the same whether the property uses district cooling, central AC, or individual split units.
If the cooling system is part of the rented property, the landlord is responsible for ensuring it works.
District cooling service charges may be the tenant’s responsibility, but system repairs typically fall to the landlord unless the contract clearly states otherwise.
Document everything from day one
Report issues early, not when summer begins
Read the tenancy contract carefully
Avoid DIY fixes that may cause damage
Remain professional in all communication
Clear records often prevent long disputes.
Landlords also benefit from prompt repairs.
Early maintenance prevents costly breakdowns
Happy tenants renew leases
Well-maintained properties retain value
Legal disputes can be avoided
Fixing an AC in winter is often cheaper and faster than waiting for peak summer demand.
Tenants do not have to wait until summer to demand air conditioning repairs. The law supports the idea that a rented property must remain livable at all times, and air conditioning is part of that standard in the UAE.
If the AC is broken now, the tenant has the right to request immediate repair, regardless of the outside temperature. Calm communication, proper documentation, and knowledge of rights are usually enough to resolve the issue.
Understanding these rights empowers tenants to act confidently while maintaining a respectful relationship with their landlord.
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