Is landlord responsible for AC leak mold in rental apartment?« Back to Previous Page
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The AC in our bedroom has been leaking a bit for a couple of weeks, and now we've found a patch of black mold spreading on the wall behind the wardrobe. We've been renting this apartment in Jumeirah Village Circle for over a year without any issues until now. Is this something I need to fix myself, or is my landlord responsible for arranging and paying for the proper mold removal?
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Under Dubai's rental law, the landlord is generally responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property and its core systems, which includes the AC unit and its associated drainage. Since the AC leak is the source of the moisture causing the mold, the remediation should be their financial responsibility.
You should notify your landlord or property management company in writing immediately, including clear photos of both the leak and the mold growth. The persistent humidity in Dubai accelerates mold spread, so prompt action is key to prevent it from affecting other areas like the wardrobe backing or insulation. Do not attempt to remove it yourself with bleach, as this can aggravate spores and doesn't address the root moisture problem. For a case of spreading growth, a professional inspection is advised to assess the full extent and recommend the correct remediation protocol, which often involves containment and HEPA filtration. The landlord should arrange for both the AC repair and the mold removal. If they are unresponsive, you can reference your tenancy contract and escalate the matter to the Rental Dispute Center (RDC) in Dubai. |
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