Black mold behind wardrobe causing coughs? Treatment and landlord?« Back to Previous Page

Black mold growth behind furniture, especially on exterior walls, is common in Dubai due to high humidity and condensation from year-round AC use. The coughs your children are experiencing could be a reaction to the spores it releases.

For a small patch, clean it yourself with a solution of white vinegar or a dedicated mold remover, wearing an N95 mask and gloves. However, simply cleaning the surface stain is a temporary fix. The moisture source must be addressed. Since it's on an exterior wall, there is likely a persistent condensation issue or a potential leak in the building envelope.

You should absolutely contact your building management. Under typical Dubai rental regulations, structural issues like potential water ingress through external walls are the landlord's responsibility to investigate and repair. They need to seal any cracks and address the underlying dampness; otherwise, the mold will return.

For health concerns and to confirm the mold type, a professional inspection with air and surface sampling is recommended. A lab analysis can identify the species, which helps assess the potential health risk and confirms the remediation was successful. Moving the wardrobe away from the wall to improve air circulation is a critical immediate step to prevent it from getting worse.