Is my landlord responsible for bathroom mold from a leak?« Back to Previous Page

Bathroom mold is almost always the tenant's responsibility if it's surface-level and caused by condensation from showers and poor ventilation. However, if the mold is caused by a structural leak—like a leaking pipe inside the wall, a faulty seal, or a crack in the building envelope—then it becomes the landlord's responsibility to fix the underlying issue.

The mushy, deteriorating grout and persistent dampness behind your toilet strongly suggest a leak, not just condensation. In Dubai's climate, where high humidity can worsen any small moisture issue, this needs proper diagnosis.

Your first step is to formally notify your landlord in writing (email is best), describing the problem and your concern about a potential hidden leak. Under typical Dubai rental laws (RERA), the landlord is obligated to maintain the property's structure and systems. They may need to send a plumber to perform a leak detection test, which can identify the source without damaging tiles.

Do not attempt to simply bleach or paint over it, as this will not address the moisture source and the mold will return. If the landlord refuses to investigate, you can file a complaint with the Dubai Rental Dispute Center (RDSC). For your own records, a professional mold inspection that includes moisture mapping can verify if the wall is saturated, providing concrete evidence of a leak beyond surface moisture.