Is my landlord responsible for shower mold?« Back to Previous Page
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We've lived in our Jumeirah Village Circle apartment for two years, but just last week I noticed these small black spots growing along the grout in the shower. The bathroom doesn't have a window and the extractor fan is really weak, so it never fully dries out. Is the landlord responsible for fixing the mold problem, or is cleaning it up my job as the tenant?
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In the UAE, specifically Dubai, landlord and tenant responsibilities for maintenance are governed by Law No. 26 of 2007, as amended by Law No. 33 of 2008. Under these regulations, the landlord is typically responsible for the structural integrity of the property and the maintenance of major installations, including the plumbing and electrical systems that serve the entire apartment. A weak extractor fan, which is a fixed installation intended for ventilation, generally falls under the landlord's obligation to repair or replace to ensure the property remains habitable.
However, the tenant is responsible for day-to-day maintenance and keeping the property clean. The persistent humidity in your Jumeirah Village Circle bathroom, exacerbated by a faulty fan and no window, creates a perfect environment for mold. While surface mold on grout due to condensation is often a cleaning issue for the tenant, the root cause—inadequate ventilation—is a structural defect the landlord must address. You should formally notify your landlord in writing about the defective extractor fan, as this is the catalyst for the moisture issue. For a proper assessment, a professional inspection is crucial. We use thermal imaging and moisture meters to identify hidden moisture within walls and ceilings that often accompanies visible surface mold. Simply cleaning the visible spots without addressing the underlying moisture will result in rapid regrowth. For immediate assistance with inspection and certified remediation to ensure the problem is solved correctly, I recommend contacting our team at Saniservice. Call 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com for a comprehensive assessment and to discuss your rights and responsibilities with an expert. |
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