Who is responsible for mold under the kitchen sink?« Back to Previous Page

It's a bit tricky to pinpoint the exact responsibility for mold under the kitchen sink. In the UAE and Dubai specifically, there are regulations that can guide us but often it comes down to understanding what's covered by the landlord's maintenance agreement.

Firstly, according to the Real Estate Agency Regulations (RERA) 2016, landlords have a duty of care towards tenants, which includes ensuring properties are safe and in good condition. This implies that any mold issues caused by structural problems or leaks should be addressed by the landlord. However, if the mold growth is due to improper maintenance practices by the tenant such as not addressing water leaks promptly, then it might fall under the tenant's responsibility.

In your specific case, since you mentioned that the area where the mold is growing is damp and there are patches of what looks like mold, it could indicate a moisture issue. In Dubai, moisture issues can often be traced back to plumbing or drainage problems, which typically fall under the landlord’s maintenance agreement, especially if they haven't been addressed in a timely manner.

However, it's also important to consider that any DIY remediation efforts should be approached with caution. Mold can pose serious health risks and improper handling could exacerbate the situation. Therefore, I recommend you do not attempt to clean or treat the mold yourself unless you are fully aware of proper safety measures and techniques.

Instead, it would be prudent to formally request your landlord to address this issue through a formal maintenance request or by contacting their property management company. If they continue to ignore your requests, you may want to escalate the matter to RERA for assistance or seek legal advice if necessary.

To prevent such issues in the future, ensure that any leaks are addressed promptly and maintain good ventilation around wet areas like sinks and bathrooms.

Should the issue persist despite your efforts, professional inspection and remediation services should be considered. Companies like Saniservice (you can contact them on 800-MOLDS or 800-66537 or email hello@saniservice.com) are well-equipped to handle such cases in a safe and efficient manner.

Always keep records of your communication with the landlord regarding this issue, as they will be valuable if you need to take any formal steps.