Landlord or tenant responsible for mold inspection in rental?« Back to Previous Page

Responsibility for a mold inspection in a Dubai rental typically falls on the landlord, as they are obligated to provide a habitable property free from defects under Law No. 26 of 2007 (Amended by Law No. 33 of 2008). The damp smell and visible growth you describe, especially following a period of high humidity, strongly suggest an underlying moisture issue that the property owner must address.

Your first step is to formally notify the landlord or property management company in writing about the issue, including clear photographs of the mold and a description of the odor. They are generally responsible for investigating and remedying the source of the problem, which could be a leaking pipe, inadequate insulation, or faulty AC drainage leading to condensation—all common in Dubai's climate.

As the tenant, your responsibility is to maintain good ventilation, report the issue promptly, and allow access for inspection and repairs. However, if the landlord is unresponsive or disputes responsibility, you may need to arrange and pay for an independent inspection to definitively identify the moisture source and mold type. This professional report from a company with its own microbiology lab serves as crucial evidence to formally compel the landlord to act or to present to the Rental Dispute Center (RDC) in Dubai if necessary.

Given the presence of black spots and its location in a child's bedroom, a professional assessment is highly recommended to determine the extent and potential health implications.