Clear answers to common questions about maintaining commercial property. Terms such as response times and included work depend on the actual contract, so always check them in writing.
Planned and reactive maintenance
What is the difference between preventive and reactive maintenance?
Preventive maintenance is scheduled attention before failure. Reactive maintenance responds after a fault occurs. Most properties need both.
How often should a property be inspected?
It depends on the property, its use and manufacturer or technical guidance. A first condition review helps set sensible intervals.
When should a recurring repair be investigated further?
When the same fault returns after repair. Repeated repairs may be treating a symptom, so the cause deserves assessment.
What is the difference between a repair and a renovation?
A repair fixes a specific defect. A renovation changes condition, layout or use more broadly.
Contracts and AMC scope
What is usually covered by a maintenance contract?
Scheduled visits for the listed assets and areas, with reporting. The exact scope differs, so read the inclusions and exclusions carefully.
Does an AMC include spare parts and consumables?
Not necessarily. Some contracts include them and others do not, so confirm this in the contract.
How are additional works approved?
With a description, a price and written approval before the work is carried out.
What should be checked when comparing providers?
Scope, visit frequency, reporting, escalation, exclusions and how specialist services are arranged.
Reports, urgent defects and access
What should a maintenance report contain?
Date, location, issue, observations, work performed, unresolved items and recommended next steps.
How should an urgent defect be reported?
Through the agreed reporting route, with the location, a short description and any safety concern stated clearly. Anything affecting safety should be escalated immediately.
What helps a technician assess a reported issue?
The location, when it started, how often it happens, photographs where permitted and any earlier repairs.
How are access and tenant notifications coordinated?
Through building management, with notice of the visit, the work area and any service interruption.
Can maintenance records help plan renovation?
Yes. Repeat faults, asset age and repair history show where upgrades make sense.
How should unresolved items be tracked?
In a list with an owner, a target date and a status that is reviewed at every visit.
What information should be kept after a visit?
The report, photographs where permitted, any parts or products used and the follow-up actions.
How SADEED supports maintenance
The SADEED Care programme provides building maintenance, preventive maintenance plans and annual maintenance contracts. Response times, frequencies and included work are stated in the agreed contract.
Have a maintenance question not covered here?
Related guides
- Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMC) in Dubai, Explained
- Preventive Maintenance for Commercial Buildings in the UAE: A Practical Framework
- How to Evaluate a Commercial Maintenance Provider Beyond the Monthly Price
- Care maintenance programme
- Request a site visit
Last reviewed: October 2026. This guide is general information; requirements vary by property, scope and authority.