Last updated: September 2026
Dubai apartments tend to need the same small repairs again and again: doors and wardrobes that stop closing properly, silicone that blackens around showers, cracked grout, loose sockets and switches, curtain rails pulling out of the wall, and holes left by TV mounts. Most are handyman jobs that take an hour or two. A few are worth doing yourself, and a few should go straight to a licensed electrician or plumber.
The usual list
| Repair | Why it happens in Dubai | Who should do it |
|---|---|---|
| Sticking doors and wardrobe doors | Loose hinges, swelling from humidity, settling | DIY or handyman |
| Mouldy or peeling silicone | Constant humidity in bathrooms and kitchens | DIY or handyman |
| Cracked or dirty grout | Age, movement, cleaning chemicals | Handyman |
| Wall holes and cracks | TV mounts, pictures, hairline settlement cracks | DIY for small holes; handyman for patches |
| Curtain rails and blinds falling | Weak plugs in drywall or gypsum | Handyman |
| Loose or scorched sockets and switches | Heavy loads, loose terminals | Electrician |
| Dripping taps, running toilets | Worn washers and valves | DIY or plumber |
| Balcony door and window seals | Sun and heat degrade rubber seals | Handyman or aluminium specialist |
| Kitchen cabinet hinges and drawer runners | Wear and heavy use | DIY or handyman |
Doors and wardrobes
Most sticking doors have loose hinge screws. Tighten them first. If the screw just spins, the hole is stripped; a handyman can plug and redrill it. Wardrobe sliding doors usually jump off their track because the rollers are worn or the track is full of dust and sand. Cleaning the track and adjusting the rollers fixes many of them.
Silicone and grout
Black spots in shower silicone are mould that has grown into the sealant. Bleach sprays lighten it for a while, but it comes back. The real fix is cutting out the old silicone, cleaning and drying the joint completely, and applying a new bead of sanitary (anti-fungal) silicone. It’s a satisfying DIY job if you’re patient, and a quick one for a handyman.
Cracked grout lets water behind tiles. Small areas can be raked out and regrouted. If tiles sound hollow when tapped, or water is showing up elsewhere, get it looked at before it damages the wall or the flat below.
Walls: holes, cracks and mounting
Many Dubai apartments have concrete block walls, but partitions and ceilings are often gypsum board. That matters when you hang anything.
- Use the right fixings: wall plugs for block walls, and cavity anchors for gypsum. Standard plugs in gypsum are why so many curtain rails end up on the floor.
- Before drilling, think about hidden pipes and cables. They usually run vertically above and below sockets and switches, and horizontally near worktops. A cheap detector helps.
- Check your building’s rules and your tenancy contract. Some buildings restrict drilling into certain walls or ask for approval for heavy mounts.
Small screw holes can be filled with filler, sanded and touched up. Hairline cracks near door frames and ceiling corners are common in newer buildings as they settle, and are usually cosmetic. Wide cracks, cracks that keep growing, or cracks with damp need a proper look.
Electrical fittings
A socket that is loose in the wall, warm to the touch, crackling or scorched is not a handyman job. It needs a qualified electrician, because loose connections behind the faceplate can overheat. Our electrical safety checklist lists the warning signs to watch for. Swapping a light bulb or a plug-in fitting is fine to do yourself.
Taps and toilets
A dripping mixer tap usually needs a new cartridge or washer. A toilet that keeps running needs its fill or flush valve adjusted or replaced. These are manageable DIY jobs on exposed fittings once you’ve shut off the local isolation valve. Concealed cisterns and in-wall mixers are better left to a plumber. See common plumbing problems in Dubai homes for more.
Balcony doors and windows
Sliding aluminium doors get stiff as sand builds up in the track and the rollers wear. Vacuum the track, wipe it and check that drainage holes in the frame are clear. Perished rubber seals let in dust and hot air, and replacement is a specialist job in some buildings, so ask building management first.
Tenant or landlord?
Tenancy contracts in Dubai vary, but a common split is that tenants handle minor maintenance and damage they cause, while landlords handle major repairs and building systems. Many landlords set a threshold amount for minor repairs in the contract. For anything beyond small fixes, tell the landlord in writing before booking, with photos.
When to hire a handyman
Book a handyman when a job needs tools you don’t have, working at height, or several small jobs at once. Grouping tasks such as curtain rails, a wardrobe door, silicone and a few holes into one visit usually works out cheaper than separate call-outs. Ask up front whether the price is per job or per hour, and whether materials are included.
If you’re preparing to move out, the same list of repairs doubles as handover preparation. See our move-out cleaning guide.
Common mistakes
- Using the wrong wall plugs in gypsum board
- Drilling directly above or below a socket
- Siliconing over old, mouldy silicone
- Handing electrical faults to a general handyman
- Doing work that needs building approval without asking
FAQs
Can I mount a TV on my apartment wall in Dubai?
Usually yes, with the right fixings, but check your tenancy contract and building rules. You may be asked to fill and repaint the holes when you leave.
Why does my bathroom silicone keep going black?
Humidity and poor ventilation let mould grow into the sealant. Replace it with anti-fungal silicone and run the extractor fan after showers.
Are hairline cracks in new Dubai apartments a problem?
Fine cracks near corners and door frames are often cosmetic settlement. Wide, growing or damp cracks should be inspected.
Should the landlord pay for minor repairs?
It depends on your contract. Many place minor repairs with the tenant up to a set amount and major repairs with the landlord.