Urgent black mold in closet: call landlord or handle myself?« Back to Previous Page

Black mold in a closet on an exterior wall is a classic sign of condensation issues, especially during Dubai's high humidity periods. The wall likely gets cold from constant AC, and humid air condenses on it, creating the perfect environment for mold.

For a rental, your first call should be to your landlord. Under typical Dubai rental laws, structural issues like water infiltration or inadequate insulation that cause mold are the landlord's responsibility to rectify. Document the issue with clear photos and send a formal written notification, as this creates a record of your request.

While waiting for a response, you can take immediate action to prevent spread. Wear an N95 mask and gloves. Wipe the visible mold off the hard surface with a microfiber cloth and a solution of diluted white vinegar or a dedicated mold cleaner. Do not use bleach, as it only removes the color and can push spores airborne. Immediately dispose of the cloth in a sealed bag. Improve air circulation by pointing a fan at the area and run a dehumidifier in the room if possible.

This self-cleaning is a temporary fix for surface growth. The root cause—excess moisture—must be addressed. If the landlord is unresponsive or the mold returns quickly, a professional inspection is warranted to identify the moisture source and assess the wall cavity. In many cases, remediation and applying anti-microbial coatings are needed for a lasting solution.