Should I tell my landlord about black mold in Dubai?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, you should inform your landlord. Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), landlords are generally responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property, which includes addressing issues like water infiltration that lead to mold. Your discovery on an external wall strongly suggests a potential leak or condensation issue that is the landlord's obligation to fix.

Start by sending a polite but formal written notice, such as an email, with clear photos of the mold. This creates a dated record of your communication. Politely state that you believe the issue may be due to a leak or condensation from the building's exterior and request that they arrange for an inspection to identify and repair the source of the moisture.

For your family's immediate safety, especially with children, do not attempt to clean significant mold growth yourself. Disturbing it can release spores. A professional inspection can determine if the issue is surface-level from the high ambient humidity or a more serious hidden leak. Companies with a microbiology lab can provide an analysis to identify the mold type, which is valuable information for both you and the landlord when discussing remediation. The landlord should cover the cost of the repair to the building envelope; the responsibility for the cleaning cost itself can sometimes be negotiated, but having a professional assessment first strengthens your position.