Is bathroom mold removal my or landlord's responsibility?« Back to Previous Page
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We've been in our Jumeirah Village Circle apartment for about a year, and this past month I’ve started seeing black spots appearing along the grout in the shower and a weird, damp smell is lingering no matter how much I clean. With this humidity, it’s just getting worse. Is fixing this the landlord's responsibility, or am I expected to handle the mold removal myself?
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Based on the conditions you've described in your Jumeirah Village Circle apartment, this is a classic case of mold proliferation exacerbated by Dubai's high humidity and constant air conditioning use. The black spots in the grout are likely Cladosporium or Aspergillus, and the persistent damp smell indicates possible hidden growth behind tiles or under flooring.
Regarding responsibility, UAE tenancy law, specifically Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007, places the obligation for major maintenance and structural repairs on the landlord. This includes addressing the root cause of the mold, which is often inadequate ventilation, faulty waterproofing, or a leaking pipe within the walls—all considered structural issues. As the tenant, your responsibility is typically limited to general upkeep and informing the landlord of the issue in writing immediately. However, the persistent humidity means that daily activities like showering create immense condensation. While the landlord must fix the source, improving ventilation during and after showers is a crucial tenant responsibility to mitigate the problem. For a case like yours, a professional inspection is critical. Surface cleaning with bleach is a temporary fix that fails to address the underlying moisture source. A certified inspector will conduct humidity mapping and thermal imaging to pinpoint the exact cause. I strongly recommend you contact your landlord formally and request a professional assessment. For this, you can reach out to our specialists at Saniservice. We provide certified mold inspections and remediation reports that are legally recognized for tenancy disputes. Call us at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com to schedule an investigation. This will definitively determine the cause and allocate responsibility correctly. |
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