Is the landlord responsible for AC leak and mold?« Back to Previous Page

The AC in my apartment in Jumeirah Village Circle seems to be constantly leaking, and now I’m finding black spots spreading along the corner of the bedroom wall behind my wardrobe. My toddler has had a persistent runny nose for a couple of weeks, and I'm starting to worry it's connected. As a tenant, am I responsible for dealing with this mold, or is it the landlord's job to fix the AC leak and the resulting damage?
Posted by Klaus Lopez
Asked on March 18, 2026 9:56 pm
Based on Dubai rental law, specifically Law No. 26 of 2007 and its amendments, the landlord is fundamentally responsible for the structural integrity and maintenance of major building systems, including the central air conditioning and its associated drainage. An AC leak constitutes a failure of a core building system provided by the landlord. The resulting moisture intrusion and subsequent mold growth are a direct consequence of that failure.

The persistent high humidity and condensation issues inherent to Dubai's climate mean an AC leak rapidly creates an ideal environment for toxic black mold (like Stachybotrys or Aspergillus) to proliferate. The black spots behind your wardrobe and your toddler's persistent respiratory symptoms are strongly correlated and constitute a significant health risk, particularly for a young child with a developing immune system.

As a tenant, your responsibility is to report the defect (the AC leak) to the landlord or property management in writing immediately. You must allow reasonable access for them to conduct repairs. However, the remediation of the mold itself should be handled by certified professionals due to the health risks and potential for cross-contamination if not addressed correctly. The landlord should bear the cost for the leak repair, moisture mapping, and professional mold remediation, as it is damage caused by a property maintenance issue.

For your family's health and to properly document the issue for your landlord, we strongly recommend a professional indoor environmental inspection. Saniservice can conduct a comprehensive assessment, including moisture mapping and air quality testing, to identify the exact species and extent of contamination, providing a formal report that substantiates your claim. Do not attempt to clean significant mold growth yourself, as this can aerosolize toxins.

For immediate assistance, please call our experts at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on March 21, 2026 5:17 am