Who is responsible for mold from humidity in a rental?« Back to Previous Page

This is an excellent and very common question for high-rise living in Dubai Marina. Determining responsibility for mold from humidity hinges on identifying the moisture source, which dictates who is liable for the remediation.

In a rental apartment, the landlord is typically responsible for addressing moisture issues stemming from the building's structure itself. This includes leaks from external walls (a common issue in older towers with failing sealants), faulty plumbing within the walls, or a malfunctioning central AC system that is not properly dehumidifying the air. Under UAE rental law, the landlord must maintain the property's structural integrity and ensure it is habitable.

However, if the high humidity is determined to be ambient—caused by lifestyle factors like inadequate ventilation, drying clothes indoors, or excessive steam from bathrooms—then the responsibility for managing it often falls on the tenant. Using a dehumidifier in problematic areas like closets on external walls is a standard tenant-led mitigation strategy.

Your situation, with a damp exterior wall and damaged belongings, strongly suggests an infiltration issue beyond simple ambient humidity. The building's maintenance team should be notified immediately to inspect the external cladding and sealants. We highly recommend a professional IAQ inspection to definitively identify the source. We use thermal imaging and moisture meters to pinpoint leaks versus condensation, which is crucial evidence for discussing responsibility with your landlord.

For a definitive assessment and to protect your health and property, please call our specialists at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com.