Who is responsible for bathroom mold repair, tenant or landlord?« Back to Previous Page

In Dubai, the responsibility typically falls on the landlord to address the underlying cause of recurring mold, while the tenant is responsible for routine cleaning and proper ventilation during use.

Your situation—mold rapidly returning after surface cleaning—strongly indicates a systemic issue like inadequate ventilation, a hidden leak, or insufficient insulation causing condensation. The high humidity in Dubai, especially during summer, exacerbates these problems. Simply wiping it with bleach only removes the visible growth, not the root cause or the microscopic spores.

Under standard Dubai rental contracts (EJARI), the landlord is obligated to maintain the property's structure and essential systems, which includes functioning bathroom extractor fans and addressing leaks from internal pipes or the building envelope. Your first step is to formally notify your landlord or property manager in writing, with photos, detailing that the mold is recurring due to a potential ventilation or building integrity fault. They should arrange for a technician to inspect the extractor fan's performance and check for hidden moisture.

As a tenant, your duty is to use the bathroom fan during and for at least 20 minutes after showers, wipe down wet surfaces, and ensure the fan vent is not blocked. If the landlord refuses to investigate the root cause after notification, you can escalate the matter to the Rental Dispute Center (RDC) in Dubai.

For a case where mold is spreading significantly, a professional inspection is wise to identify the exact moisture source and type of mold. This provides concrete evidence if a dispute arises and ensures the correct remediation method is used, as some species require more than just wiping.