Is removing black mold my landlord's responsibility?« Back to Previous Page

According to Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), landlords are responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property, which includes addressing leaks or seepage in the external building envelope that lead to mold. If the mold behind your wardrobe is due to a leak in an external wall, pipe, or faulty AC condensation drainage, the repair and subsequent mold remediation are your landlord's obligation.

However, the responsibility can become less clear if the issue is purely from internal condensation. The recent humidity spike is a major factor; Dubai's climate, especially in enclosed spaces with year-round AC use, creates perfect conditions for condensation on cooler surfaces, like the wall behind a large piece of furniture. If the mold growth is solely due to lack of air circulation and condensation that you could manage with dehumidifiers or rearranging furniture, it might be considered a tenant maintenance issue.

Given that your children are coughing and it's black mold, do not attempt to remove it yourself. Disturbing it can aerosolize spores and worsen the air quality. Your immediate step is to formally notify your landlord in writing (email is best) with clear photos, stating the potential health impact and requesting a professional inspection to determine the root cause. A proper assessment will identify if the mold is from a structural leak or condensation, clarifying financial responsibility.

For health and legal clarity, a professional inspection with documented lab identification of the mold type is the best course of action. This provides concrete evidence for your landlord and ensures the correct, safe remediation method is used.