CONTEXT
Under UAE law, the landlord bears primary responsibility for maintaining the leased property throughout the lease term. If the landlord ignores defects or refuses to carry out required repairs, the tenant has formal legal remedies — including the right to seek a court order compelling performance, rent reduction, or reimbursement of repair costs.
LEGAL BASIS
Landlord's statutory obligations:
Deliver the property in a condition fit for its intended use
Maintain that condition throughout the lease term
Carry out major and substantial repairs, unless the lease agreement expressly provides otherwise
Allocation of minor maintenance: The lease agreement may assign minor day-to-day maintenance to the tenant. However, major defects — engineering systems, water leaks, air conditioning failure, structural elements — remain the landlord's responsibility as a rule, regardless of contract wording.
TENANT'S AVAILABLE REMEDIES
Depending on the severity of the defect and the landlord's response, the tenant may claim:
An orde...