Urgent to treat bedroom closet mold, notify landlord?« Back to Previous Page

Our master bedroom closet in our Jumeirah Village Triangle villa has had a damp, earthy smell for the last three weeks. I finally pulled everything out today and found a patch of black and green fuzzy mold, about the size of a dinner plate, on the back wall behind the clothes. With how humid it's been lately, I'm worried it's spreading quickly. How urgent is it to get this professionally treated, and is this something I should notify my landlord about immediately?
Posted by Lakshmi Iyengar
Asked on March 31, 2026 7:00 am
Based on your description, this situation requires immediate professional attention. The presence of a "dinner plate-sized" patch of black and green fuzzy mold, accompanied by a persistent damp smell, indicates significant moisture accumulation and active fungal growth. In the high-humidity climate of Dubai, especially during the summer months and in enclosed spaces like closets with poor air circulation, mold can proliferate rapidly behind walls and under flooring, meaning the visible patch is likely just the tip of the iceberg.

Yes, you should notify your landlord immediately. According to standard tenancy contracts and Dubai's rental laws, the landlord is generally responsible for the maintenance of the property's structure, including addressing issues like water leaks and the resultant mold that compromise the building's integrity and habitability. Document the issue with clear photographs and send a formal written notification to them, as this creates a record of your communication.

Do not attempt to clean this yourself. Disturbing the mold without proper containment can aerosolize spores, spreading the contamination throughout your bedroom and HVAC system, posing potential health risks. The priority is to identify and eliminate the source of moisture, which could be a hidden pipe leak, condensation from an AC unit, or penetrating dampness from the building envelope.

A professional inspection is critical. Certified experts, like our team at Saniservice, use thermal imaging cameras and moisture meters to pinpoint the exact moisture source and assess the full extent of the contamination. We then execute a remediation plan following IICRC standards, involving containment, air scrubbing, and safe removal. For a definitive assessment and solution, please call us at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 2, 2026 10:58 am