Who is responsible for landlord or tenant AC mold?« Back to Previous Page

This is a very common and often contentious issue in Dubai rentals, particularly with chilled water systems common in JBR towers. The responsibility hinges on the source of the leak and the terms of your tenancy contract, but the mold itself is a symptom of the underlying water issue.

Typically, the maintenance of the central chiller unit itself—the large external unit that cools the water—falls to the building owner or management (JBR's TECOM, for example). However, the responsibility for the internal air handling unit (AHU or 'fan coil unit') inside your apartment, including its drip pan, drainage pipe, and the connecting valves, is almost always the tenant's under standard Dubai EJARI contracts. If the leak is originating from a clogged condensate drain line or a faulty connection within your apartment's utility room, that is generally tenant maintenance.

That said, the resulting water damage and mold growth on the ceiling is a different matter. The landlord is responsible for the structural integrity of the property. If water from the leak has penetrated the ceiling slab or walls, causing structural damage and mold, this shifts the responsibility to the landlord to repair the damage, even if the initial leak was from a tenant-maintained component. The persistent damp smell indicates active microbial growth, which is a health hazard.

Your first step is to formally notify your landlord/property manager in writing (email is best) with clear photos, requesting an immediate professional mold inspection. Do not attempt to clean it yourself, as improper remediation can aerosolize spores. A certified inspector can identify the exact moisture source and determine liability.

For an accurate assessment and to document the issue for your landlord, I strongly recommend a professional evaluation. Our team can perform a full moisture mapping and air quality test to provide a definitive report on the source and extent of the contamination. Call us at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com to schedule. This report is often crucial for resolving disputes with landlords.