Am I liable for AC leak and mold on my wall?« Back to Previous Page

In Dubai, the landlord is typically responsible for structural and maintenance issues, including AC leaks that cause mold. The leak is the root cause, and under standard tenancy contracts, fixing the AC unit and the resulting water damage falls on the property owner. Your responsibility as a tenant is generally to report issues in a timely manner.

Document everything immediately. Take clear, dated photos of the leak, the black spots, and any communication with your landlord. Send a formal written notification about the AC leak and mold to your landlord or property manager, referencing your tenancy contract. This creates a paper trail that is crucial for protecting your security deposit.

Using bleach is a common but often ineffective approach for porous surfaces like drywall. It can appear to remove surface discoloration but frequently drives the mold deeper, causing it to return more vigorously, as you've experienced. The underlying moisture must be stopped and the affected material properly treated or replaced.

Given Dubai's high humidity, an ongoing AC leak creates a perfect environment for mold proliferation. A professional inspection is highly recommended to assess the full extent of the moisture damage behind the wall and identify the mold species. This provides an objective, documented assessment you can share with the landlord to substantiate the required repairs. If the landlord is unresponsive, you can reference RERA's guidelines, which generally side with tenants on maintenance issues that impact health and habitability.