Landlord or tenant responsible for mold in rental apartment?« Back to Previous Page

Excellent question, and a very common issue we see here in Dubai, especially in older buildings in areas like Deira. The high humidity, combined with aging building infrastructure, is a perfect recipe for the exact problem you're describing.

In the UAE, the responsibility for mold remediation hinges on the source of the moisture, as per standard rental contract interpretations (RERA).

Here’s the breakdown:

• Landlord's Responsibility: If the mold is due to a structural issue – like a leaking central AC pipe within the wall, a crack in the building's exterior, faulty waterproofing, or a leak from another apartment – the landlord is unequivocally responsible for the repairs to the structure itself. This includes fixing the leak and remediating the resulting mold damage to the property.

• Tenant's Responsibility: If the moisture source is due to tenant behavior – such as insufficient ventilation, failing to use bathroom extractor fans, drying clothes indoors, or not regularly maintaining the AC unit (which controls humidity) – then the cost of cleaning and remediation would typically fall to the tenant.

Given your description of a "huge patch" behind a wardrobe on an exterior wall in an older building, this strongly points to a hidden plumbing leak or water ingress from outside. You should immediately notify your landlord or property management company in writing. They have a legal obligation to investigate. Do not attempt to clean this yourself, as disturbing extensive mold can aerosolize spores and worsen indoor air quality.

We strongly recommend a professional inspection to identify the exact moisture source. Our certified inspectors use thermal imaging cameras and moisture meters to pinpoint leaks without destructive investigation. This report is crucial evidence to determine liability.

For immediate advice or to schedule an inspection, call us at 800-MOLDS or email hello@saniservice.com.