Is my landlord responsible for mold removal in Dubai?« Back to Previous Page

Excellent and very important question. This is a common point of confusion for tenants here in Dubai. The short answer is: yes, in the vast majority of cases, your landlord is legally responsible for the remediation of mold caused by structural or maintenance-related water damage.

Here's the technical breakdown. Under UAE law, specifically the Rental Law, the landlord is obligated to provide a property that is habitable and in good structural condition. This is a fundamental aspect of the tenancy contract. The key factor is the source of the water intrusion. Since you mentioned the mold appeared after a period of high humidity and is on an interior wall, the cause is likely a leaking pipe within the wall, a failed seal around a window allowing humid air ingress, or inadequate insulation leading to condensation – all of which are considered structural maintenance issues and fall squarely under the landlord's responsibility. The "damp smell" on your clothes is a classic indicator of a persistent humidity problem, not just surface-level condensation from, for instance, drying clothes indoors.

You must formally notify your landlord in writing (email is best for a paper trail) immediately. Describe the issue, its location, and express your health concerns for your children. They are obligated to address the root cause (the water leak) and the resulting damage (the mold remediation). Do not attempt to simply bleach or paint over it yourself; this will not solve the underlying moisture issue and the mold will return, potentially worse than before. For a case like this with health symptoms present, a professional inspection is critical to identify the exact moisture source and the full extent of contamination. We can provide a detailed report that can be used to formally request remediation from your landlord. If they are unresponsive, you can escalate the matter to the Rental Dispute Center (RDC) in Dubai.

For a proper assessment and to get documentation for your landlord, call us at 800-MOLDS or email hello@saniservice.com. Your kids' health isnt worth the risk.