Evidence Checklist: Maintenance Dispute
A maintenance dispute at the RDSC is won or lost on evidence of the defect, evidence of notification, and evidence that the landlord failed to act despite reasonable opportunity. This checklist ensures your case is bulletproof.
Scenario
Use this checklist for any maintenance dispute where your landlord has refused or failed to carry out repairs you are entitled to under Article 16 of the Dubai Tenancy Law.
The Example
Evidence Checklists
MAINTENANCE DISPUTE EVIDENCE CHECKLIST TIER 1 — ESSENTIAL: ☐ Photos/Videos of the Defect (timestamped) Why: Primary evidence of the defect's existence and severity. How: Use your phone camera. Ensure date/time is visible on the image or verifiable via EXIF data. Frequency: Document at least once per week during the dispute period. ☐ Written Maintenance Requests (with dates and delivery confirmation) Why: Proves you notified the landlord and gave them a reasonable opportunity to remedy. Minimum required: At least 2-3 written requests before filing. ☐ Landlord's Response (or non-response evidence) Why: Shows the landlord had notice but failed to act. If no response: Keep records of messages sent with read receipts. If partial response: Document what was promised vs what was done. ☐ Ejari Tenancy Certificate Why: Confirms your lawful occupancy and the landlord's identity. TIER 2 — STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: ☐ Building Management Maintenance Log Why: Third-party confirmation of the defect and the landlord's notification. How to get: Request the maintenance job reference from the building management company. ☐ Specialist/Contractor Assessment Report Why: Expert confirmation that the defect is structural or mechanical (landlord's responsibility) rather than tenant-caused. How to get: Engage a licensed contractor to inspect and produce a written report. ☐ Formal Demand Letter (Notarial Notice) Why: Highest-quality evidence of formal notification to the landlord. Gives RDSC evidence of systematic escalation. How to get: Through a UAE Notary Public office (AED 200–400 fee). ☐ Evidence of Impact on Habitability Why: Strengthens the case that the defect is serious — not merely cosmetic. Examples: Medical notes for health impacts, temperature readings showing AC failure, water usage records showing plumbing failure. TIER 3 — VALUABLE IF AVAILABLE: ☐ Similar Complaints from Other Tenants in Building Why: Shows the defect is a systemic building issue (landlord/building owner's responsibility) not isolated to your unit. ☐ Municipality Complaint Reference Number Why: Some tenants report maintenance failures to Dubai Municipality. A complaint reference number supports the narrative of persistent failure. ☐ Cost Estimate for Repairs (from licensed contractor) Why: Gives the RDSC context for the value of the repair order being sought.
Why This Works
The weekly documentation guidance for photos is a practical detail that many tenants miss. A single undated photo is far weaker than a series of timestamped photos showing the defect persisting over time despite notification — the latter makes inaction undeniable.
The contractor assessment report in Tier 2 is critical for establishing whether the defect is structural (landlord's responsibility) or tenant-caused. Without this, the landlord can always claim the tenant broke it — the contractor's report neutralises this defence.
Key Elements
- Weekly documentation frequency recommendation
- Building management log as third-party confirmation
- Contractor assessment to establish responsibility type
- Habitability impact evidence to show defect severity
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Guides
Need help building your actual case?
Turn examples like this into your complete RDSC evidence package — in 30 minutes, based on official DLD guidelines.