Is black mold in my rental villa the landlord's responsibility?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), the landlord is generally responsible for the structural integrity and maintenance of the property's main building systems. This includes issues related to water leakage, faulty insulation, or inherent ventilation problems that lead to persistent dampness and mold. Since you describe the wall as consistently damp, the root cause is likely a structural or systemic issue—potentially a hidden leak, rising damp, or inadequate insulation—making it the landlord's legal responsibility to investigate and remedy.

Your first step should be to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing, with clear photos of the mold and a description of the damp wall. They are obligated to address the underlying defect causing the moisture. Do not attempt to clean a large patch of black mold yourself, as improper disturbance can release a high concentration of spores and mycotoxins into your living space, potentially worsening the health risk and spreading the contamination.

The UAE's high humidity, especially during summer, combined with constant AC use, creates significant temperature differentials that cause condensation within walls if insulation is poor—a very common issue in older villas. A professional inspection is needed to diagnose the exact moisture source. If the landlord is unresponsive, you can file a complaint with the Rental Dispute Settlement Center in Dubai, as a persistent mold issue stemming from a building defect can be considered a breach of the landlord's obligation to provide a habitable property. For any significant visible growth, a lab test is the only way to confirm the mold type and associated health risks.