Can my Dubai landlord require me to use their preferred maintenance company?
My Dubai landlord wants me to only use their chosen maintenance company for repairs — are they allowed to require this?
1 Answer
17 Jul 2026
A Dubai Landlord Can Suggest a Company but Usually Cannot Force Exclusive Use for Tenant-Paid Repairs
If your tenancy contract requires the landlord's approval before making changes to fixtures, that's standard. But requiring you to exclusively use one specific company for repairs you're paying for yourself isn't typically enforceable unless it's explicitly written into your signed contract.
Where This Requirement Is Legitimate
If the landlord is paying for the repair themselves — such as a landlord-responsibility item like AC servicing — they generally do have the right to choose who does that work, since they're footing the bill.
What to Do If You Disagree
Check your signed tenancy contract for any clause about approved contractors. If nothing specific is written and you're paying yourself, you're generally free to choose your own professional, though it's courteous to inform the landlord before major work begins.
Finding a Reliable Maintenance Professional in Dubai
For repairs you're covering yourself, comparing your own quotes rather than accepting a single landlord-suggested company often gets you a better price. You can post your maintenance job free on BidMyJob.ae and compare quotes from multiple professionals in Dubai.
— BidMyJob Advice Team | support@bidmyjob.ae
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Dubai landlord force me to use their maintenance company?+
Generally only if it's explicitly written into your signed tenancy contract — otherwise, for repairs you're paying for yourself, you're usually free to choose your own professional.
Who chooses the contractor if the landlord is paying for the repair in Dubai?+
If the landlord is covering the cost, they generally have the right to choose who does the work since they're paying for it.
Do I need to tell my Dubai landlord before hiring my own maintenance company?+
It's not always legally required, but it's courteous to inform them beforehand, especially for work that could affect shared building systems.