Is black mold in my apartment closet the landlord's responsibility?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai's rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), the landlord is generally responsible for the structural integrity and maintenance of the property's main systems. This includes fixing issues with the building envelope, such as leaking pipes in the walls or faulty external waterproofing that leads to persistent dampness and mold growth.

However, the responsibility hinges on the source of the moisture. In a Marina apartment, this dampness is frequently caused by a combination of high humidity and a thermal bridge—the cold AC air in the room meeting the warmer air trapped in the unventilated closet, causing condensation inside the wall. While the landlord must fix a genuine leak, condensation management often falls to the tenant through adequate ventilation and humidity control.

Your immediate step is to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing with clear photographs. They are obligated to investigate the cause. If the issue is a leak from another apartment or a structural flaw, it is their responsibility to remediate it. If the cause is determined to be condensation, you may be expected to cover the cost of cleaning the affected area, but the landlord should still ensure the wall is properly treated to prevent recurrence.

For black mold, professional assessment is strongly recommended to identify the species and the exact moisture source. Remediation involves more than wiping it away; the wall likely needs specialized antimicrobial treatment. Running your AC does not dehumidify a closed closet. Use a dehumidifier in the room and ensure the closet doors are left ajar periodically to allow air circulation, which can help reduce condensation going forward.