In the United Arab Emirates, homeowners, landlords, and tenants have the option to get a residential annual maintenance contract (AMC).
A residential AMC is an agreement between the owner or resident of a house and a maintenance company. The former pays the latter a fixed amount. In exchange, the latter is bound to provide the former with services that are enumerated in the contract, subject to the terms specified in the agreement.
What’s Included in an AMC?
What is included in annual maintenance contracts? Inclusions vary from one service provider to another, but they typically include the following:
- Electrical inspection: One-time; checks for loose wires, overloaded circuits, and potential electrical fire hazards
- Electrical repairs: Available on demand; performs repairs of electrical issues that arise throughout the contract year
- Plumbing inspection: One-time; checks for hidden leaks, faulty water fixtures, clogged drains, and water pressure issues
- Plumbing repairs: Available on demand; performs repairs of plumbing and drainage issues that arise throughout the contract year
- Air conditioner inspection and preventative maintenance: Quarterly; comprehensive assessment, disinfection, and troubleshooting of covered AC units
- Air conditioner repairs: Available on demand; repairs covered AC units as needed throughout the contract year
- 24/7 emergency service access: Round-the-clock access to urgent or emergency electrical, plumbing, and AC maintenance and repair services throughout the contract year; e.g., emergency service at your doorstep within 90 minutes
- 24/7 customer service access: Round-the-clock access to the customer hotline throughout the contract year
- Free labour: Free labour for non-emergency repairs and maintenance
- Free small parts and consumables: Payment only for big parts and major hardware
- Free warranty: Twelve-month warranty coverage for all supplied/paid parts
- Discounts: Discounted rates for services not covered by the annual maintenance contract
The Benefits of Annual Maintenance Contracts
For businesses, the annual maintenance contracts’ benefits are clear. If a restaurant’s air conditioners are not working, it cannot open its doors to customers, and it loses an entire day of earnings. Leaky pipes mean irate customers and extensive (and expensive) damage to hotels.
How about residential properties? Why would you—a tenant, landlord, or homeowner—sign a residential annual essential maintenance contract?
The Benefits for Landlords
If you’re a landlord, it’s in your favour to procure an annual maintenance contract for the following benefits:
- Compliance
The services covered in annual maintenance contracts adhere to minimum UAE municipality requirements for landlords. Thus, an AMC ensures you can meet safety and maintenance standards.
- Reduced Tenant Complaints
Since you have annual electrical and plumbing inspections as well as quarterly AC maintenance, you can stay ahead of potential issues and prevent major problems. Consequently, your tenant’s stay will be much smoother and relatively trouble-free, which means you will receive fewer complaints, too.
- Fewer Interruptions
Tenants can contact the service provider directly for any issues. They won’t need to call you for service requests.
- Streamlined Property Management
Managing multiple properties is easier when you have a single point of contact for all of your property maintenance needs.
- Cost-Efficiency
Preventative maintenance helps you avoid major repairs, which tend to be costly. With an AMC, you can protect and maintain your property for less.
The Benefits for Homeowners
If you’re a homeowner, why would you consider getting an annual maintenance contract for your house?
- Time-Saving Convenience
You save time when you have an annual maintenance contract. If your kitchen floods due to a leaky pipe, the power goes out because of an electrical fault, or the AC dies because of a damaged part, you’ll know immediately whom to call for service. You won’t have to spend time scouring the web for options and don’t have to risk calling an unreliable provider.
- Maintained Property Value
The annual electrical and plumbing checks, plus the quarterly AC maintenance, keep your house in good condition.
For instance, you can avoid burst pipes because you can get damaged pipe fittings replaced before they give out. This means no leaks that can gradually cause mould, mildew growth, wood rot, and furniture/furnishings damage. There should be no peeling paint and unsightly cracks. Thus, annual maintenance contracts are instrumental in keeping your property value high.
- Cost Savings
An annual maintenance contract will save you money because labour comes free.
Paid services (those not covered in the contract) also come at a discount. Finally, since you have assured preventative maintenance, you can avoid major costly repairs.
- Peace of Mind
The annual inspections can provide you with the peace of mind that comes with knowing everything in your house is in order. For instance, you won’t need to worry about an unchecked electrical fault that can cause a house fire.
Benefits for Tenants
Major maintenance is, of course, the purview and responsibility of landlords. However, if your landlord does not have an annual maintenance contract, maybe you should get it instead and enjoy these benefits:
- Easier Maintenance Management
You get direct access to reliable service. You won’t need to submit service requests to your landlord or the property manager.
- Deposit Protection
Regular maintenance reduces the risk of property damage. This increases your likelihood of getting your full security deposit back at the end of your contract.
- Cost Savings
An annual maintenance contract helps prevent major problems that may cost you a considerable sum to address or resolve.
- Less Stress
Save time and effort by having a reliable, on-call service provider for all essential maintenance needs.
Annual Maintenance Contract: You Need It
An annual maintenance contract assures you of support if your pipes, wires, or AC fails.
It can also help prevent these from failing. So yes, you need it, whether you’re a tenant, a homeowner, or a landlord.