Is landlord responsible for bedroom mold in Jumeirah apartment?« Back to Previous Page

In Dubai, landlord responsibility for mold largely depends on the source of the moisture. Under typical tenancy contracts, the landlord is responsible for fixing structural issues causing the intrusion, such as a leak from a pipe in the wall, a faulty external seal, or a crack in the building envelope.

Your situation in Jumeirah—black mold on an exterior wall corner behind furniture—is a common scenario in Dubai's humid climate. The wall is likely a "cold bridge," where the indoor surface temperature is cooler than the surrounding air, causing condensation to form when the AC is running. This trapped moisture behind the wardrobe creates a perfect environment for mold. The responsibility here can be murky. The landlord should address any building defects allowing water ingress. However, the tenant is often responsible for issues stemming from lifestyle and maintenance, like insufficient ventilation leading to condensation.

Your first step is to formally notify your landlord or property manager in writing with clear photos. They should send a technician to investigate for any leaks. If the source is purely condensation, you may need to negotiate. For a proper diagnosis of the mold type and source, a professional inspection with moisture mapping is the most definitive way to determine liability. Remediation involves more than wiping the spots; the area must be properly treated, and the root cause (like the cold bridge and lack of air circulation) must be resolved to prevent immediate recurrence. Moving the wardrobe slightly away from the wall can help improve airflow in the meantime.