Is landlord responsible for apartment mold on outside wall?« Back to Previous Page

The back of our bedroom wardrobe, which is on the outside wall of our apartment in JLT, has started growing these black fuzzy patches. It's been incredibly humid the last few weeks and we keep the AC running, but the musty smell is now really strong in the room. We've been in this rental for about a year and never had this issue before. Is the landlord responsible for fixing the cause of this mold, or is it on me to clean it and deal with it myself?
Posted by Carmen Kowalski
Asked on April 10, 2026 6:19 am
Based on the description of the mold growth on the outside wall of your wardrobe in JLT, this is a serious issue that points to a structural or building envelope problem, not just surface condensation.

Under UAE rental law, specifically Law No. (26) of 2007, the landlord is legally responsible for maintaining the property's structural integrity. Mold caused by water intrusion from a leaking external wall, faulty waterproofing, or a construction defect is unequivocally the landlord's obligation to repair. The persistent musty odor indicates potential hidden growth within the wall cavity, which is a health hazard and requires immediate professional attention.

The high humidity in Dubai exacerbates these issues, but the root cause is the moisture intrusion. Simply cleaning the visible mold is a temporary and ineffective solution. The source of the water must be identified and sealed.

I strongly recommend you cease any DIY cleaning attempts and contact your landlord in writing immediately, detailing the issue and requesting a professional mold inspection. For a definitive assessment, a certified inspector should conduct a visual examination and moisture mapping to locate the intrusion point.

Our team at Saniservice specializes in such forensic investigations and can provide a detailed report for your landlord, outlining the cause and the necessary remediation protocol, which often involves invasive wall inspections. For immediate advice or to schedule an inspection, please call us at 800-MOLDS or email hello@saniservice.com. Do not delay, as the problem will only worsen and can significantly impact indoor air quality.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 12, 2026 6:26 am