Is landlord responsible for mold inspection in rented apartment?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), the landlord is generally responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property, which includes addressing leaks or seepage in walls and ceilings that lead to mold growth. However, the tenant is responsible for reporting the issue in writing promptly.

Since you've noticed the spots worsening with the humidity, this strongly suggests an underlying moisture issue, likely from condensation within the AC system or a slow leak from a pipe in the slab above. For a proper diagnosis, a professional inspection is needed to identify the moisture source. The landlord's responsibility to fix it hinges on that source being a structural or maintenance defect, not just ambient humidity.

Given your allergy symptoms and the visible growth, documenting the issue formally is your first step. Send a dated written notice (email is acceptable) to your landlord or property management company with clear photographs. Describe the progression and your health concerns. This creates a formal record.

If the landlord is unresponsive, you can file a complaint with the Rental Disputes Center (RDC) in Dubai. They will often require evidence that you notified the landlord and that the issue affects the property's habitability.

For a case like this, a professional inspection is advised. An inspector will use moisture meters and thermal imaging to find the water source and take air or surface samples for lab analysis to identify the mold type. This report provides the concrete evidence needed to definitively establish responsibility and scope of remediation, whether it falls to the landlord or requires a discussion about AC maintenance. In Dubai's climate, this process is common and often necessary to resolve tenancy disputes.