Is landlord responsible for black mold in rental villa?« Back to Previous Page

My kids have been coughing more than usual and I suspect it’s the black mold I just found spreading along the baseboards in our master bedroom closet. We’ve lived in this Jumeirah Village Triangle villa for two years and I only noticed it after moving some storage boxes. Is this something I should fix myself, or is my landlord responsible for the remediation and inspection?
Posted by Khaled Al-Hashim
Asked on April 10, 2026 9:25 am
The landlord is typically responsible for remediating black mold in your rental villa, as it's considered a structural or maintenance issue affecting the property's habitability under standard Dubai tenancy contracts. Your responsibility is to report the issue to them in writing immediately. The presence of mold is often linked to a hidden moisture source, like a slow pipe leak or condensation from the AC system, which the landlord must address at the source to prevent recurrence.

Given the climate in Jumeirah Village Triangle, where high humidity and constant AC use can create condensation problems, this is a common issue. For your children's health, a professional inspection is strongly advised to identify the mold species and the exact moisture source. DIY cleaning with bleach is not recommended for a spreading growth, as it can aggravate spores and often fails to address the root cause, leading to it returning.

The remediation process itself should be handled by professionals to ensure it's contained properly, preventing spores from spreading to other parts of the house during cleanup. Once the landlord addresses the leak and remediation is complete, consider using a dehumidifier in the closet and ensuring adequate airflow around stored items to help prevent future growth.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 11, 2026 1:49 pm