Who pays for mold inspection: tenant or landlord?« Back to Previous Page

We've lived in our Jumeirah apartment for 2 years and just noticed a patch of black mold starting to form in the corner of our master bedroom closet, right on the wall. It's been really humid lately and I'm worried it's spreading. Who is responsible for arranging and paying for a proper mold inspection here, me as the tenant or the landlord? I don't want to cause damage but also don't want to get stuck with a huge bill.
Posted by Jose Scott
Asked on April 3, 2026 10:33 am
In the UAE, the responsibility for mold inspection and remediation is primarily governed by the rental contract and Law No. 26 of 2007, known as the Dubai Rental Law. Typically, structural issues and problems inherent to the property itself are the landlord's financial responsibility. Given that the mold in your Jumeirah closet is forming on the wall, it is highly likely caused by a persistent underlying issue. The humid Dubai climate, combined with potential condensation from year-round AC use or a hidden water leak within the wall cavity (from a pipe or seepage), points to a structural or maintenance-related cause.

Therefore, the landlord is almost certainly responsible for arranging and paying for a proper inspection to diagnose the root cause. Your obligation as a tenant is to report the issue immediately in writing to the landlord or property management company. Do not attempt to simply clean the visible patch, as this will not address the source of the moisture, allowing the mold to return and potentially compromising the building's structure and indoor air quality.

A professional inspection is critical. Our certified technicians at Saniservice use tools like thermal imaging cameras and moisture meters to pinpoint the exact source of water intrusion hidden behind walls, which is essential for a permanent solution. We then provide a detailed report that can be used to formally communicate the required remediation steps to your landlord.

For immediate assistance and to schedule a comprehensive inspection, please call our experts at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 6, 2026 12:53 am