Who is responsible for black mold removal in Dubai?« Back to Previous Page

Responsibility for black mold removal in a Dubai rental property typically falls on the landlord, as per the rental law. The landlord is generally obligated to maintain the structural integrity of the property, which includes addressing the root cause of the mold—often a leak or seepage from an external wall, as you've described.

Your first step is to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing, with clear photos. They should arrange for a professional to identify and fix the moisture source, which is the critical first step. Simply cleaning the visible mold without addressing the underlying water intrusion is ineffective and it will return.

Given Dubai's high humidity, especially during summer, condensation within poorly insulated external walls is a very common cause. The remediation process itself—the safe removal of the mold and affected materials—may be your responsibility if the cause was tenant-related (e.g., lack of ventilation), or the landlord's if it's a building envelope issue. This is often a point of discussion.

For a case of this size and location, a professional inspection is strongly advised to assess the extent and identify the exact moisture source. They can provide a documented report, which is useful for discussions with your landlord. Regarding your belongings, a professional assessment can determine if items can be cleaned or must be discarded.