Is my landlord responsible for mold treatment in Dubai?« Back to Previous Page

Your landlord's responsibility for mold treatment depends on the source of the moisture. Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), landlords must maintain the property in a habitable condition, which includes addressing structural issues causing water intrusion, like leaking pipes or faulty external waterproofing.

However, if the moisture is due to tenant behavior—such as insufficient ventilation, drying clothes indoors, or not running the AC enough to manage humidity—the cost of remediation may fall to you. The black spots in your closet are a common issue here; interior walls can develop condensation when the cold from the constantly running AC meets the warm, stagnant air trapped in a closed space, creating a microclimate of high humidity.

Given Dubai's climate, this is a frequent occurrence. For a definitive answer on liability, a professional inspection is needed to identify the moisture source. We document our findings with lab-grade evidence to clearly distinguish between structural defects and condensation issues, which is crucial for discussions with your landlord. Start by notifying them in writing with photos; they are often obligated to investigate. If they refuse and the cause is structural, you can file a case with the Rental Dispute Center (RDC) in Dubai. In many cases, the responsibility for fixing the underlying cause dictates who pays for the mold treatment.