Am I responsible for black mold from landlord's unrepaired AC leak?« Back to Previous Page

No, you are not responsible for remediating mold caused by your landlord's unrepaired AC leak. Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), the landlord is responsible for maintaining the property's structure and essential services, including the AC system and fixing leaks that lead to structural damage. Since you notified them two months ago, the responsibility for both the repair and the resulting mold remediation lies with them.

The black mold is a direct result of the moisture issue, and Dubai's high humidity can cause it to spread quickly behind walls. Do not attempt to clean it yourself, as improper handling can disturb toxic spores and worsen indoor air quality. Send a formal written reminder to your landlord, referencing your initial notification, and insist they arrange for a professional inspection. A proper assessment will determine the extent of the damage and the required remediation, which likely involves fixing the leak, addressing the hidden moisture, and safely removing the contaminated materials. For serious cases like this, a lab test can identify the mold species and inform the correct remediation protocol. If the landlord remains unresponsive, you can escalate the matter to the Rental Dispute Center (RDC) in Dubai.