Tenant or landlord responsible for closet mold in JVC?« Back to Previous Page

This is a very common issue we see in JVC, especially during the high-humidity summer months. The responsibility for mold remediation in a rental property is typically determined by the source of the moisture, as outlined in Dubai rental law.

First, the immediate cleaning of your personal items (bags, shoes) is your responsibility as the tenant to prevent further damage to your property. For leather goods, I recommend a gentle wipe with a diluted vinegar solution (1 part vinegar to 4 parts water) and allowing them to dry completely in a well-ventilated area before storing again. Do not use bleach.

However, identifying and rectifying the cause of the moisture is the critical part. If the mold is growing on an interior wall, the source is almost certainly excess ambient humidity condensing on the cooler wall surface, exacerbated by lack of air circulation inside the closed closet. This is often a tenant-responsibility issue related to ventilation. You should immediately improve airflow by leaving the closet doors ajar, using a dehumidifier in the bedroom, and ensuring your AC is running consistently to manage humidity levels.

That said, the landlord is responsible for structural issues. If our inspection finds a leaking pipe within the wall, faulty waterproofing, or a building envelope defect allowing water ingress from outside, then the landlord must address and repair that root cause. Simply painting over it is not a solution.

Given the visible growth, I strongly recommend a professional inspection. We can use moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras to pinpoint the exact source of the moisture definitively. This will clearly establish liability and ensure the problem is fixed correctly the first time, protecting your health and your belongings. Please feel free to call us at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com for a assessment.