AC mold in bedroom: call landlord or clean first?« Back to Previous Page

Leaking AC units are a primary cause of indoor mold in Dubai, and the high humidity we've been experiencing accelerates its growth. For a black mold patch caused by a leak, your first call should be to your landlord or building management. Under typical Dubai rental agreements, they are responsible for repairing the source of the leak—the faulty AC unit. Cleaning the mold without fixing the leak will only result in it returning.

For your safety, do not attempt to clean it yourself. Disturbing the mold can release spores into the air. While the visible patch is behind a curtain, the mold growth inside the wall cavity and the AC drip pan is likely more extensive.

The fastest and safest way is a two-step process: first, the landlord must repair the AC leak. Then, a professional mold assessment is needed to determine the extent of the contamination. A proper remediation will involve containment, HEPA-filtered air scrubbing, and antimicrobial treatment of affected surfaces, not just wiping the wall. For verifiable results, the company should provide before-and-after testing data from an accredited lab.

Until it's handled, keep the bedroom well-ventilated and consider using a dehumidifier to help lower the moisture level that the mold is feeding on.