Am I responsible for mold in my rental closet?« Back to Previous Page

As a certified mold inspector in Dubai, this is a common issue we see, especially in coastal areas like the Marina. The short answer is that responsibility typically falls on the landlord for structural or building envelope issues, while the tenant is responsible for maintenance issues stemming from their own use.

The presence of mold on an external wall, especially after a humidity spike, is a major red flag. Running the AC constantly is good, but if there's a hidden breach in the building's thermal envelope or a faulty seal around a window or door, humid air is infiltrating and condensing on the cooler wall surface inside your closet. This is a construction or insulation defect, not an issue caused by your lifestyle.

Under UAE tenancy law, the landlord is generally obligated to provide a habitable property and maintain the structural integrity of the building. This includes addressing leaks and insulation failures. Your responsibility as a tenant is to report this issue immediately in writing to the landlord or property management company. Do not attempt to clean it with bleach, as this will only temporarily remove the visible stain and not address the underlying moisture source, allowing the mold to return and potentially spread.

We strongly recommend a professional inspection. Our technicians use thermal imaging cameras to identify the exact point of moisture intrusion and hygrometers to measure the humidity within the wall cavity. This evidence is crucial for definitively determining the cause and getting the landlord to take appropriate remedial action.

For immediate advice or to schedule an inspection, please call our team at 800-MOLDS or email hello@saniservice.com.