Is landlord required to fix dangerous mold immediately?« Back to Previous Page

Our master bedroom in the Jumeirah Village Circle apartment has had this damp, earthy smell ever since the heavy rains and humidity a few weeks back. I just pulled our king-sized bed away from the wall to find a patch of black and green fuzzy mold about the size of a dinner plate spreading from the corner. My husband has been waking up with a stuffy nose, and I'm starting to get worried. How urgent is it that we get this professionally treated, and is this something our landlord is legally required to fix immediately?
Posted by Steven Scott
Asked on April 18, 2026 6:35 am
Under the Dubai Tenancy Law (Law No. 26 of 2007), landlords are obligated to provide and maintain a property in a habitable condition. A mold outbreak of this size, particularly one causing health symptoms, typically qualifies as a breach of this warranty of habitability. You should formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing immediately, detailing the issue and including photographs. They are generally responsible for the structural integrity of the building and fixing issues like water ingress that lead to such problems.

The urgency is high. The size of the growth and the associated health symptoms indicate an active moisture source and significant spore presence. The Dubai climate, with its high humidity and reliance on year-round AC, can cause condensation that fuels mold growth inside walls, making the visible patch just a symptom of a larger issue. A professional inspection is critical to identify the root cause—often a hidden leak or insulation failure—as simply wiping the surface will not prevent recurrence. For a confirmed case with health impact, remediation should begin within days, not weeks.

While the landlord must address the cause, the responsibility for contents and temporary accommodations can depend on your contract and the cause of the leak. Start the dialogue with your landlord promptly. If they are unresponsive, you can file a complaint with the Rental Dispute Settlement Center in Dubai. For a situation of this scale, engaging a specialist with verifiable testing and remediation protocols is essential to ensure it is resolved completely and safely.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 20, 2026 5:20 pm