Is bathroom mold a tenant or landlord responsibility?« Back to Previous Page

The grout between the tiles in our JBR apartment's bathroom has turned completely black over the past few weeks, and I just found a patch of fuzzy mold behind our wardrobe, probably from the recent humidity. We've been renting this place for a year and our contract is up for renewal soon. Is dealing with this kind of mold growth our responsibility as tenants, or is the landlord supposed to arrange and pay for the professional removal?
Posted by Patricia Thomas
Asked on March 29, 2026 10:46 pm
In Dubai's high-humidity climate, mold growth in bathrooms and behind furniture is a common issue, driven by condensation from year-round AC use and poor ventilation. The responsibility for mold remediation in a rental property is typically determined by the cause. According to standard tenancy contract terms in the UAE, landlords are responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property and addressing issues related to inherent building defects or faulty installations, such as broken extraction fans, leaking pipes within the walls, or inadequate waterproofing.

As a tenant, you are responsible for maintaining general cleanliness and ensuring adequate ventilation to prevent moisture accumulation. If the mold growth is a direct result of lifestyle factors (e.g., not using the bathroom fan, drying clothes indoors), the cost of cleaning may fall to you. However, the rapid and extensive growth you describe, particularly behind the wardrobe, strongly suggests a persistent underlying moisture issue that likely exceeds simple surface condensation. This could be due to a hidden plumbing leak or penetrating dampness from the building envelope.

We strongly recommend a professional inspection to accurately identify the moisture source. Attempting to clean visible mold without addressing the root cause will result in rapid regrowth. Our certified inspectors use thermal imaging and moisture meters to pinpoint the origin definitively. This report is crucial for determining liability with your landlord before lease renewal.

For a definitive assessment and compliant remediation, contact our specialists at Saniservice. Call 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com to schedule an inspection.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on March 31, 2026 2:43 pm