Is landlord responsible for mold in humid apartment closet?« Back to Previous Page

Under the Dubai Rental Law, the landlord is generally responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property and addressing issues arising from inherent building defects. A mold problem caused by a hidden water leak, faulty insulation, or poor ventilation is their obligation to fix.

However, if the mold is determined to be a result of tenant behavior—such as not using the AC appropriately to manage humidity, blocking vents with stored items, or creating excessive moisture—the responsibility for remediation could fall on you. In humid climates like Dubai's, constant AC operation is essential not just for cooling but for dehumidification; turning it off for long periods can quickly lead to condensation and mold, especially in enclosed spaces like closets on exterior walls.

Given your description of black spots on the wall and a persistent damp smell that worsened with high humidity, this strongly suggests an environmental issue beyond simple surface cleaning. The first step is to formally notify your landlord in writing (email is best) with clear photographs. Request that they investigate and rectify the source of the moisture. They should hire a professional to conduct an inspection, which often includes moisture mapping and thermal imaging to find the root cause, be it a small leak or insufficient insulation.

Do not attempt to clean significant mold growth yourself with bleach, as this only addresses the visible symptom and can exacerbate the problem by adding moisture. Proper remediation requires fixing the moisture source, removing contaminated materials, and cleaning with specialized antimicrobial agents. For your health and to protect your belongings, a professional assessment is highly recommended to document the cause and required solution.