Is black mold in bathroom landlord's responsibility?« Back to Previous Page
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Our upstairs bathroom in our Jumeirah Village Circle apartment has had this musty smell for weeks, and I just pulled back the silicone sealant around the shower and found a ton of black mold underneath. We run the exhaust fan, but the humidity is just constant here. Our rental contract is a bit vague on this – is getting this professionally treated and resealed the landlord's responsibility, or is this on us as tenants for maintenance?
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In the UAE, the responsibility for mold remediation in a rental property is typically governed by the terms of your tenancy contract and the Dubai Rental Law. Generally, structural issues and faults that are not caused by tenant negligence are the landlord's responsibility. The persistent high humidity in Dubai, exacerbated by year-round AC use creating significant condensation, is a known building issue, not a result of tenant lifestyle. Since the mold is growing underneath the silicone sealant, this strongly indicates a failure of the waterproofing membrane or a persistent leak within the wall, which is a structural defect and falls under the landlord's obligation to rectify.
However, you must formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing immediately. Provide clear photographs and a detailed description. They are obligated to address the source of the moisture. Simply cleaning the visible mold without fixing the underlying water intrusion is ineffective and will lead to rapid regrowth. For a case of this severity, we strongly recommend a professional inspection. Our certified experts at Saniservice can conduct a comprehensive assessment, including moisture mapping and air quality testing, to definitively identify the moisture source and the extent of the infestation. This provides an official report you can present to your landlord, substantiating the claim that this is a structural issue. We then perform complete remediation, including removing contaminated materials, treating the area with EPA-approved fungicides, and executing a proper, lasting reseal. Do not attempt to handle significant black mold growth yourself. For immediate professional advice and to schedule an inspection, please call us at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com. |
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