Who pays for mold removal, landlord or tenant?« Back to Previous Page
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The AC in our Jumeirah Village Triangle apartment has been leaking a bit, and now I’ve found a patch of black mold on the back of the bedroom closet, right against the external wall. It’s been getting worse since the humidity spiked a few weeks ago. I’ve told the landlord, but he says it’s our responsibility to deal with the mold since we live here. Who is actually responsible for the remediation cost in this situation, the tenant or the landlord?
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Based on UAE tenancy law, specifically Law No. (26) of 2007, the responsibility for structural maintenance and repairs to the property falls upon the landlord. This includes issues with the building's structure, such as external walls and the central air conditioning system, which are considered key parts of the property's habitability.
In your case at Jumeirah Village Triangle, the mold growth is a direct result of two landlord responsibilities: a leaking AC unit (a maintenance issue with a provided appliance) and potential water ingress or condensation on the external wall (a structural envelope issue). The extreme humidity common in Dubai's climate accelerates mold growth from such pre-existing moisture sources. Therefore, the remediation cost should be the landlord's responsibility. You should formally notify the landlord in writing, referencing the law, that the mold is a result of these defects and request immediate remediation. However, for health and safety reasons, we strongly recommend a professional inspection to assess the full extent of the contamination. Surface mold is often just the visible part of a larger problem within the wall cavity. Improper cleaning can aerosolize spores and exacerbate the issue. Our certified team at Saniservice can provide a comprehensive inspection and moisture mapping report to definitively identify the source, which can be used to substantiate your claim with the landlord. For immediate advice or to schedule an inspection, please call us at 800-MOLDS or email hello@saniservice.com. |
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