Is landlord responsible for bedroom mold in rental apartment?« Back to Previous Page
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The wall behind my wardrobe in the bedroom has a huge patch of black mold that I just discovered while deep cleaning. We've had the AC running constantly to fight the humidity, but the room still feels damp. I’ve been in this apartment in Jumeirah for over a year and this is the first time I'm seeing it.
Is the landlord responsible for fixing the mold and repainting, or is this something I have to handle myself as the tenant?
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The responsibility for mold remediation in a rental apartment in Dubai is primarily dictated by the tenancy contract and the Dubai Rental Law. Typically, structural issues and problems inherent to the property itself, such as a leaking pipe within the walls, faulty external waterproofing, or a defective AC unit causing condensation, are the landlord's financial and legal responsibility.
However, the tenant is responsible for issues stemming from their own negligence or lack of maintenance. In your case, the location behind a wardrobe is critical. Furniture placed directly against an external wall, especially in a humid climate like Dubai's, severely restricts airflow. This creates a cold spot where condensation from the constantly running AC can accumulate, providing the perfect environment for mold growth. This could be argued as a tenant-induced condition due to poor ventilation practices. Given the description of a "huge patch," this is a serious case requiring professional assessment. DIY cleaning with bleach is ineffective and can exacerbate the problem by releasing spores. The underlying moisture source must be identified and rectified first. I strongly recommend you contact your landlord immediately and request a professional mold inspection. A certified company like Saniservice can conduct a comprehensive assessment, including moisture mapping and air quality testing, to definitively determine the cause. This evidence-based report is crucial for delineating responsibility between you and the landlord. For immediate professional consultation, call 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com. They can provide the necessary documentation and, if authorized, execute the full remediation and hygienization process to ensure the environment is safe and the mold does not return. |
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