Who is responsible for AC mold: tenant or landlord?« Back to Previous Page
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The AC in my bedroom has been dripping a bit of water onto the carpet for a couple of weeks, and now I’m seeing a big black mold patch spreading out from the wall behind the unit. The landlord says fixing the AC is our problem, but this feels like it’s damaging the actual apartment structure. Who is legally responsible for cleaning this up and repairing the wall, us or the owner?
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Based on UAE tenancy law, specifically Law No. (26) of 2007, the landlord is generally responsible for the maintenance of the property's main structural components, including the walls, ceilings, and any embedded systems like the AC ducting and drainage lines. The AC unit itself can be a point of contention; however, the resulting water damage and microbial growth on the structural elements of the apartment are unequivocally the landlord's responsibility to rectify.
The continuous water drip from the AC has created a chronic moisture issue, which in Dubai's high humidity climate is a primary catalyst for rapid mold proliferation. This is not a superficial stain but a sign of a significant moisture intrusion that is likely compromising the drywall, insulation, and potentially the structural integrity behind it. The remediation process is technical: it requires isolating the area, using HEPA filtration to prevent cross-contamination, removing and disposing of the affected porous materials (carpet, drywall), treating the underlying structure with EPA-approved antimicrobial agents, and finally repairing the damage. Crucially, the root cause—the AC leak—must be fixed by a certified HVAC technician to prevent immediate recurrence. For a situation of this severity, a professional inspection and testing are mandatory to determine the full extent of the contamination and to provide a legally defensible report for your landlord. We strongly advise you to document the issue thoroughly with photos and formally request in writing that the landlord address the structural damage and mold remediation. For immediate professional assessment and a detailed report, please contact our specialists at Saniservice. Call 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com to schedule an inspection. |
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