Tenant or landlord responsible for Jumeirah apartment mold?« Back to Previous Page

Based on the details you've provided, this is a very common scenario we encounter in Dubai, especially in older buildings in areas like Jumeirah. The key to determining responsibility often lies in identifying the source of the moisture.

From a technical standpoint, mold requires three things: an organic food source (like drywall or dust), suitable temperatures, and moisture. Your humidity spike observation is critical. While tenants are responsible for reasonable ventilation (e.g., using exhaust fans, opening windows when AC is off), landlords are responsible for the structural integrity and watertightness of the building.

If the mold is localized behind a large piece of furniture placed against an exterior wall, it can indicate a condensation issue due to restricted airflow, which is often a tenant responsibility to manage. However, its location in the corner is a major red flag. Corners are common failure points for external water intrusion or internal plumbing leaks within the wall cavity. A pre-existing dampness issue from the building envelope, which is the landlord's responsibility to maintain, is a strong possibility.

UAE tenancy law is somewhat nuanced here, but generally, structural defects and issues arising from them fall on the landlord. The first and most crucial step is a professional inspection. Our certified inspectors use thermal imaging cameras and moisture meters to precisely identify the moisture source without destructive testing. This evidence is vital for discussing remediation with your landlord.

For a definitive answer and to protect your health and deposit, I strongly recommend a professional assessment. You can call our team at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com to schedule an inspection. We can provide a detailed report outlining the cause, which will clearly indicate who is responsible for the remediation costs.