Who pays for termite treatment in a Dubai rental property?
It depends on the tenancy contract, but termite work is usually the landlord's responsibility, because termites attack the structure of the building rather than being a housekeeping issue. Routine pest control for everyday pests is more often the tenant's. The contract wording governs, so read the maintenance clause before agreeing to pay.
Why termites are treated differently from other pests
Most tenancy agreements separate routine maintenance from structural maintenance. Everyday pest control — ants, cockroaches, flies — is generally treated as occupancy-related and sits with the tenant.
Termites do not fit that category. They feed on structural timber, door frames, built-in joinery and anything in contact with the soil beneath the building. The cost of ignoring them is borne by the owner, because the asset being consumed belongs to the owner.
That reasoning is why termite treatment commonly falls to the landlord even where the tenant pays for general pest control.
Read the maintenance clause first
Before accepting a cost, check how your contract splits responsibility. Common patterns include:
- A value threshold — minor maintenance under a stated amount sits with the tenant, anything above with the landlord.
- An explicit structural carve-out covering the building fabric.
- A general pest control clause that does not mention termites at all, which is where most disputes start.
If the clause is silent on termites, that silence is not an answer. Raise it in writing with the landlord or agent before work is commissioned, rather than paying and attempting to recover the cost afterwards.
What to document before you report it
Whatever the contract says, the tenant who documents clearly tends to have the easier conversation:
- Photograph the evidence — mud tubes, damaged timber, discarded wings — with something for scale.
- Note the date you first noticed it.
- Report it in writing, by email or message, not only by phone.
- Keep a professional inspection report, which separates opinion from a technician's written finding.
Prompt written notice also protects the tenant: a landlord is in a far weaker position arguing that damage worsened through delay if the report is dated and on record.
Where tenants can carry some responsibility
Termites are rarely caused by a tenant, but conditions can be made worse by occupancy — persistent over-irrigation against external walls, unreported water leaks, or timber and cardboard stored directly against the structure.
None of that creates a colony on its own. It can, however, affect how a dispute is viewed if the conditions were obvious and went unreported for a long period.
Frequently Asked Questions
My contract does not mention termites at all. What then?
Raise it in writing before commissioning work. Termite damage is structural, which is the usual basis for it sitting with the owner, but the specific contract and the agreement you reach govern the outcome. Get the position confirmed in writing before anyone pays.
Can a landlord require the tenant to arrange treatment?
A landlord can ask a tenant to arrange access and coordinate the appointment, which is common and reasonable. Who bears the cost is a separate question and should be settled in writing beforehand.
Does a tenant need to move out during treatment?
Usually not. Most termite work is targeted at soil, perimeter and affected timber rather than requiring the property to be vacated. Any preparation needed is explained before the appointment.
Who keeps the treatment documentation?
The property owner should hold it, since it relates to the building and may matter at resale or for any follow-up work. A tenant who paid or coordinated should keep a copy too.
What does termite treatment cost?
Treatment starts from AED 800 for an apartment, with inspection from AED 200. The final price is confirmed after inspection and before work begins, so the figure can be put to a landlord in writing before anything is committed.
Termites in a rental property?
Get a written inspection finding to settle the question properly. Dubai Municipality approved, Establishment No. 997881.
View Termite Treatment → 052 104 1743