Landlord or professional for black mold in Dubai villa?« Back to Previous Page

The AC in our Jumeirah villa has been leaking a bit for a couple of weeks, and I finally pulled the wardrobe away from the wall to find a huge patch of black mold growing behind it. It's on the drywall and it smells awful. What's the proper way to handle this in Dubai – should I call the landlord first, or get a professional cleaning company to assess it immediately?
Posted by Akiko Xu
Asked on April 8, 2026 8:30 am
Call your landlord immediately and report the leak and mold in writing with clear photos. Under Dubai rental law (RERA), landlords are generally responsible for maintaining the property's structure and essential services, which includes fixing leaks that cause mold. They should arrange and pay for the repairs to the AC unit and the subsequent mold remediation.

For a large patch of black mold caused by an ongoing leak, a professional assessment is necessary. The leak must be fixed first; otherwise, the mold will return. Due to Dubai's high humidity and constant AC use, hidden mold can spread quickly through walls and insulation. A reputable remediation company, particularly one with its own microbiology lab for verification, can assess the full extent, contain the area to prevent spores from spreading, and safely remove the contaminated materials. They should also provide post-remediation testing to confirm the space is safe. Do not attempt to clean significant black mold yourself, as improper disturbance can aerosolize toxins and worsen the problem. Your priority is to stop the moisture source and then address the contamination.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 9, 2026 2:01 pm