What to do when: Landlord switches off AC in common areas

Cases of building landlords switching off air-conditioning to the common areas have escalated during peak summer, with residents complaining it’s an unbearably, sticky situation.

“It’s shocking how landlords are switching off air-conditioning to the corridors, escalators and reception hall,” said a resident of a building in Dubai’s Al Nahda.

“We thought it was due to a faulty a/c but when we checked with the watchman, he told us that he had been instructed by the landlord to switch off the a/c.”

According to Dubai Police, the tenants can file a complaint against the landlord.

Residents must dial 991, and register their complaint, after which a police official will visit the building and check the property.

Once he has inspected the area, he will issue a paper, which the resident may take to the nearby police station to lodge an official complaint.

Dubai’s Real Estate Regulatory Agency (Rera) also tips tenants to file a lawsuit to report discontinuation of building services.

Read: Dubai tenants can file lawsuits if services discontinued, says Rera

“Any tenant affected by the cutting of building services is entitled to open a lawsuit against the party responsible at the Rental Dispute Settlement (the judicial arm of Dubai Land Department) as these practices are not permitted under Law 27 of 2007,” Rera said in an emailed statement sent to Emirates 24|7.

With inputs from Parag Deulgaonkar

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