Who is responsible for mold remediation, tenant or landlord?« Back to Previous Page

Based on UAE rental law, specifically Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai, the responsibility for mold remediation typically falls on the landlord. The law obligates the landlord to undertake all necessary maintenance for the property, including addressing structural defects and issues that affect the tenant's intended use of the property, such as a leaking pipe. Since the black mold in your Marina apartment resulted from a concealed slow leak, this is considered a structural maintenance issue.

As the tenant, your responsibility is to promptly notify the landlord or property management company of the issue in writing. You should document the mold with clear photographs and detail the suspected cause (the leak behind the wardrobe). The landlord is then legally required to address the root cause of the moisture and arrange for the subsequent remediation. However, if the moisture damage was caused by tenant negligence, such as failure to use the AC properly leading to excessive condensation—a common issue in Dubai's humid climate—the responsibility could shift.

Given the presence of health symptoms and visible mold, a professional inspection is critical to assess the full extent of contamination. DIY attempts can disturb spores and exacerbate the problem. I strongly recommend you contact your landlord immediately and suggest they commission a certified mold inspection from a company like Saniservice. Our experts use thermal imaging and moisture meters to pinpoint the leak's source and conduct air and surface sampling to identify the mold species and spore count, which is essential for planning an effective remediation strategy. For immediate assistance, you can call 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com.