Landlord or tenant responsible for mold remediation?« Back to Previous Page

Excellent question. This is a very common point of contention between tenants and landlords here in Dubai, especially given our climate. The short answer is that responsibility is typically determined by the source of the moisture.

Based on the Dubai Rental Law and standard tenancy contract terms, the landlord is responsible for the maintenance of the main structure and the central AC system, which includes the chilled water piping or drainage lines that serve your apartment. A leak from the AC unit itself or its condensate drain line is a failure of the installed equipment, making it the landlord's responsibility to repair the leak at its source.

However, the tenant is generally responsible for the day-to-day upkeep and hygiene within the leased property. If the mold growth is a direct result of a maintenance issue you failed to report (like a leak you knew about for months), you could be held liable for the interior remediation costs.

In your specific case at Discovery Gardens, the leak is from the AC, which is a landlord-provided utility. You MUST notify your landlord or property management company in writing immediately about the leak and the subsequent mold growth. Do not sign the renewal until this is addressed. The remediation must be handled by a professional company like ours. DIY cleaning often just bleaches the visible mold without addressing the hidden spores or the moisture source, leading to rapid regrowth. A certified hygienization process ensures the mold is eradicated and an IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) certificate is issued, which protects both you and the landlord.

For a proper assessment and to get the correct documentation for your landlord, give us a call at 800-MOLDS. We can identify the exact cause and provide the certified remediation report you need.