Is landlord responsible for closet mold inspection?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), the landlord is generally responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property. Mold growth on an external wall, likely caused by a hidden leak or inadequate insulation, is typically considered a structural maintenance issue. The landlord's obligation is to provide a habitable property, and this situation falls under that responsibility.

You should formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing immediately, with clear photos of the mold. They are usually required to arrange and pay for the professional inspection to diagnose the source—whether it’s a leaking pipe, capillary rise from the ground, or a crack in the wall. The constant AC use in Dubai's humid climate can create severe condensation issues if a room or closet is poorly sealed or insulated, which is a building envelope problem.

However, if the inspection reveals the cause was tenant-related, like a spill that wasn't dried or blocked ventilation, the cost responsibility could shift. For any significant, recurring, or hidden mold, a professional inspection with moisture mapping and potentially lab analysis is crucial to identify the true source and stop it from returning. Simply cleaning the visible mold without fixing the underlying moisture problem is ineffective.