Is landlord responsible for AC mold and tenant illness?« Back to Previous Page

Tenant health symptoms like sore throats and headaches, combined with visible black spots and a damp odor, strongly indicate a mold issue in your AC unit that needs to be addressed. The high humidity and constant condensation in Dubai's AC systems create an ideal environment for this growth.

Under standard Dubai tenancy contracts (Ejari), the landlord is typically responsible for maintaining the central structure and essential services of the property, which includes the fixed AC system and its ducts. A mold problem originating inside the AC unit is generally considered a maintenance issue for the landlord to resolve, as it affects the habitability of the property.

Formally notify your landlord in writing (email is best), describing the problem, the visible mold, and the health symptoms. Include clear photographs of the black spots. Request a professional inspection and remediation, as DIY cleaning often fails to address contamination deep within the system. A proper inspection involves taking surface or air samples to be analyzed by a microbiology lab to identify the mold type, which determines the appropriate cleanup method.

If the landlord is unresponsive, you can reference your rights concerning a habitable living environment and may need to escalate the matter to the Dubai Land Department (DLD) for mediation. For immediate health concerns, consider using a portable HEPA air purifier in the bedroom and keeping the area well-ventilated until the issue is resolved.