Found black mold in closet; clean myself or tell landlord?« Back to Previous Page

The wall's exterior-facing position in a humid area like Marina is a classic setup for condensation and mold growth. For a patch smaller than one square meter, you can clean it yourself. Wear an N95 mask and gloves. Scrub the area with a mixture of water and detergent, then wipe with a diluted bleach solution (one part bleach to ten parts water). Ensure the room is well-ventilated during and after.

However, cleaning only addresses the visible growth, not the underlying moisture issue. This is almost certainly a building envelope or insulation problem allowing condensation to form inside the wall. You should absolutely report this to your landlord immediately. Under Dubai rental law (RERA), landlords are responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property, which includes resolving issues like persistent dampness that lead to mold.

After reporting, request a professional inspection to identify the moisture source. A surface clean is temporary; the mold will return unless the condensation problem is fixed from the outside. To protect your belongings, move them away from that wall and consider using a dehumidifier or running your AC more consistently to lower the indoor humidity.