Black mold behind wardrobe: call landlord or cleaning company?« Back to Previous Page

Contact your landlord immediately; this is their responsibility to address. Tenancy law in Dubai generally holds the property owner responsible for structural repairs and issues arising from building defects, which includes mold from water infiltration or inadequate insulation.

The location behind a wardrobe on an external wall strongly suggests condensation or a hidden leak, both exacerbated by Dubai's high humidity. This isn't a surface cleaning job—it requires a professional inspection to identify and fix the moisture source first. A general cleaning company will only wipe the visible mold away, which is ineffective and allows it to return.

For a proper resolution, your landlord should engage a specialist in mold remediation. The process involves identifying the moisture source (like a leak or thermal bridging), containing the area to prevent spore spread, safely removing contaminated materials, and treating the area with antimicrobial solutions. Only after the root cause is fixed should the wall be repainted. Without this, the problem will recur.

Your allergies are a significant health indicator. Certain mold species common here can aggravate respiratory conditions. A proper remediation company, often with its own microbiology lab, can identify the species to confirm the health risk. Document the mold with photos and communicate with your landlord in writing to ensure the issue is resolved correctly, not just cosmetically covered.