Breaking my lease early due to smell in the A/C system - HELP | ExpatWoman.com
 

Breaking my lease early due to smell in the A/C system - HELP

25
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 June 2013 - 12:43

Hi,

I've been facing a problem with the A/C for more than a year now, and I'm giving up. The room smells like mold and I have a baby who's exposed to this. (Have him sleeping in our room in the meantime)

I want to break my lease and get a refund from my LL as I'm being "forced" out.

Is this possible? I can't find much on the RERA site with regards to this.

Thanks!!!
<em>edited by seiskilos on 21/06/2013</em>

37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 June 2013 - 09:44
Hi We had a similar problem in our flat. Bad fusty sewage smell seemingly coming from the AC. We had the drains cleaned, the AC filters cleaned etc. Turns out that the smell was coming through a shared ventilation shaft in our building (accessible through the roof in the kitchen). Apparently some flats remain empty, others are poorly maintained so its impossible to treat the root cause of the smell (in Dubai anyway!). Although strictly speaking it goes against health and safety regulations we had this shaft blocked off. 8 months later, no smell most of the time. We used to wake up to an overpowering drain/sewage smell. Now, occasionally the odd whiff but nothing too offensive. I have heard others in my block still complain about the smell so I know the main problem still has not been addressed! Not ideal I guess but a solution which worker for us. Not sure if that is helpful to you? Best of luck with it all.
145
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 June 2013 - 21:26
When Jim'll Fix It (Fixers in Dubai!) did their radio call in thing, they did an interesting feature on odd drainage/ac smells where it is as simple as old water stuck in the tap in the spare room. Because you never use the tap in your spare bathroom, the water stays in it and eventually smells. Running the taps in your spare bathrooms for about a minute a week can get rid of the smell. May or may not be the problem in your house, but worth a try? we don't have a spare bathroom
2584
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 22 June 2013 - 18:40
When Jim'll Fix It (Fixers in Dubai!) did their radio call in thing, they did an interesting feature on odd drainage/ac smells where it is as simple as old water stuck in the tap in the spare room. Because you never use the tap in your spare bathroom, the water stays in it and eventually smells. Running the taps in your spare bathrooms for about a minute a week can get rid of the smell. May or may not be the problem in your house, but worth a try?
501
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 June 2013 - 17:36
I think Pineapple's had a situation like that - turned out half the building was covered in mold or something. Took her a long time, but she eventually was able to move out.
25
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 June 2013 - 16:59
Thank you so much for the suggestions. LL has send several teams to try to fix it, and it still smells really bad. LL claims it's a building issue (which might be true), so it'll become a dispute between LL and building management - so what to do? it shouldn't be us paying for this - as we already paid our full year's rent, and are already suffering the health implications (with a baby!) I just want to get me money back and get out of this apartment!
444
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 22 June 2013 - 14:41
before going to RERA ask your LL to have a/c duct cleaning with Sany I'm sure after the service the smell ends. then if the problem persists... :( <em>edited by roxan51 on 22/06/2013</em>
1848
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 21 June 2013 - 18:14
Go to RERA personally and explain your circumstances. Follow their instructions step by step and if your landlord still doesnt fix anything I'm sure you will be covered as you did it all according to RERA instructions. They know all the rules and what to do.
117
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 June 2013 - 17:39
The landlord has to fix the AC and the associated damages because of it. Regardless if it is written in your contract or not. That's what the RERA will tell you. If the problem can't be solved, this might have to be disputed in a hearing at the RERA if your landlord wants a penalty because you want to break the lease. I hate to be negative, but your LL will probably take as much money as he can (penalty) by claiming you broke the lease. Talk to him. If he insists, go to RERA. Mold can cause health problems and RERA will most probably back you up. My friend had to move out of her villa due to mold as well. It was pretty bad! Not recalling that she had to pay a penalty. Best of luck!
 
 

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