Who is responsible for mold in my Dubai apartment closet?« Back to Previous Page

This is a very common issue in Dubai, especially in closets on exterior walls. Based on your description, the responsibility is likely shared, but the initial cause and major remediation fall on the landlord.

Under UAE rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), the landlord is obligated to provide a habitable property free from structural defects. A persistent damp issue leading to mold growth, particularly on the wall itself, strongly suggests a underlying problem like inadequate insulation, a hidden pipe leak, or a breach in the building envelope allowing humid air to condense inside the cold wall. This is a structural/maintenance issue the landlord must address. You should formally notify them in writing (email is best) with clear photos and request immediate investigation and repair. They are responsible for fixing the root cause.

However, tenant responsibilities include adequate ventilation to prevent the conditions mold needs to grow. In Jumeirah Village Triangle's high humidity, a closet packed with clothes (especially organic materials like cotton/wool) with no air circulation is a prime target. While the landlord fixes the wall, you should:

1. Immediately empty the closet and clean the affected surfaces with a vinegar or diluted bleach solution (wear PPE!).
2. Improve air circulation. Leave the closet door open and consider a small, battery-operated dehumidifier or damp-rid product inside.
3. Never store damp or wet items.

For a patch that size and a persistent smell, I strongly recommend a professional inspection. We can perform moisture mapping and thermal imaging to pinpoint the exact moisture source that you can present to your landlord, and air quality testing to identify the spore type. DIY cleaning often just addresses the visible growth, not the root cause or airborne contaminants.

For a certified assessment, please call us at 800-MOLDS or email hello@saniservice.com. We can provide a detailed report for your landlord to act upon.