Black mold in Dubai apartment: landlord or professional first?« Back to Previous Page

Contact your landlord immediately with dated photos and a formal request for remediation. Under Dubai rental law (RERA), landlords must address structural issues causing mold, typically from water seepage or poor insulation. Your location near the coast in Jumeirah makes this a high-priority issue due to the persistent humidity and condensation from temperature swings between the outdoor air and year-round AC use.

For a patch that is actively growing, a professional inspection is strongly advised to identify the moisture source. Landlords may attempt a superficial clean, but without fixing the root cause—often a leak from the window frame or a cold bridge in the wall—it will return quickly. A proper assessment can determine if the issue is internal condensation or external water ingress.

Your concern for your kids is valid. While not all black discoloration is toxic Stachybotrys, any mold can cause irritation, especially in children. Do not attempt to clean it yourself, as improper methods can aerosolize spores throughout the room. A professional service with a microbiology lab can take an air or tape-lift sample to identify the species, which provides concrete evidence for your landlord and confirms the health risk level. They will also provide a protocol for safe containment and removal.