Mold in Dubai villa: landlord or tenant responsibility?« Back to Previous Page

Good question, and a very common issue here in Jumeirah with the high humidity and sea-facing walls. From your description—a large patch, a damp smell, and its location on an exterior wall—this is a serious moisture intrusion problem, not just surface condensation.

Under UAE tenancy law, specifically Law No. (26) of 2007, the responsibility for major maintenance and structural repairs falls squarely on the landlord. This includes fixing the root cause of the mold, which is almost certainly a hidden leak from faulty plumbing, a cracked internal pipe, or, most likely given the sea-facing aspect, water seepage through the building envelope due to inadequate waterproofing or cracks in the exterior wall. You, as the tenant, are typically only responsible for minor maintenance.

However, you must formally notify your landlord or property management company immediately in writing. Do not attempt to clean this yourself, as improper handling can aerosolize toxic spores and make the problem worse. The remediation is only effective if the source of moisture is identified and permanently fixed first.

This absolutely requires a professional inspection. We use thermal imaging cameras and moisture meters to pinpoint the exact source of the water intrusion without destructive investigation. Once the leak is repaired by the landlord, then the mold remediation—including safe containment, removal, and hygienization of the area—can begin.

For a case like this, my strong recommendation is to get a certified inspection report to present to your landlord. Give us a call at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com and we can provide a detailed assessment to clarify responsibility and the required scope of work.