Believing maintenance myths costs money. The most expensive one is that the building handles everything, followed closely by the idea that a cheap quick fix stays cheap. Below are the questions we answer most often, with the operational facts behind each, from service charge boundaries to how a visit is actually booked.
Answers to common Dubai apartment maintenance questions: service charge boundaries, tenant repairs, access rules, warranties and how to book a maintenance visit
The most common question we receive is some version of: is this my fault or the building's? The general rule under DM and RERA frameworks is that service charges cover common infrastructure, the central cooling plant, shared risers, the façade, and common areas, while everything inside your apartment, from the fan coil unit to the sockets, is the owner's responsibility. The grey zones are where money is lost: a leak that starts in your shower trap but surfaces in the corridor ceiling, or a cooling problem caused by low chilled water supply rather than your FCU. Our diagnostic reports are built to settle these questions, because they locate the fault with evidence rather than opinion, and that evidence is what building management needs before they will fund a repair.
Landlords often assume their tenant will report faults promptly; tenants often assume the landlord already knows. Both are wrong, and the result is that minor faults run for months. If you are a landlord, put our number in your tenant welcome pack and authorise routine repairs up to an agreed value, so a dripping mixer is fixed in week one rather than reported at checkout with a damp cabinet. If you are a tenant, report faults to your landlord in writing with photographs, and ask them to book us directly; we can work with your authorisation, and the report protects your deposit by showing the fault was reported and professionally attended rather than caused by you.
Most Dubai towers restrict contractor access to weekday daytime hours, require registration at security, and some require a permit per visit or an approved contractor list. None of this is optional, and a contractor who offers to slip in through the car park is creating a problem for you with your building management. We register properly, carry our licence documents, and schedule within your building's rules, which we confirm when you book. Owners abroad can arrange access through building management, a tenant, or a representative with written authorisation. Video calls during the visit are usually possible, and the photographic report covers everything you cannot see yourself.
Repairs carry a stated workmanship warranty, and parts carry the manufacturer's cover, which we register in your name. Keep the report; it is your warranty document. On parts, we fit branded components specified for your equipment rather than generic substitutes, because a AED 40 saving on a cartridge that fails in eight months is not a saving. Booking is simple: call +971 50 168 5444, describe the fault, tell us your building and community so we can check access rules, and we schedule a diagnostic visit under the refundable AED 200 inspection fee. The whole process, from first call to emailed report, is designed so that you always know what happens next and what it costs.
Straight answers, before you book.
Active water you cannot isolate, burning smells, hot sockets, or total power loss are urgent and should be treated as emergencies. A dripping tap, one dead socket, or slow drainage can wait for a standard booking, usually within 24 to 48 hours in our core areas. When in doubt, call and describe the symptom; we will tell you honestly which category it falls into, including when the answer is wait and save money.
Yes. We work with owners directly and alongside property managers who need documented, quotable maintenance for the units they administer. Our fixed-quote structure and photographic reports suit management workflows, because approvals can be made remotely against clear evidence. If you administer multiple units, ask about arrangements covering several apartments under one scheduling relationship, with consistent reporting formats across the portfolio.
Clear access to the affected area, keep any evidence such as photographs of the leak or the tripping pattern, and if possible note when the fault occurs, for example when the AC runs at night or when the washing machine fills. Have your building's access requirements to hand if you know them. If you are not attending yourself, ensure someone can provide access and that you are reachable by phone for quote approval.
Speak to a technician now, not an answering service.