Is landlord responsible for black mold behind bedroom wardrobe?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), the landlord is generally responsible for repairs related to the structural integrity of the property and its fundamental systems. A significant black mold patch behind a fixed wardrobe strongly suggests an underlying moisture issue, such as a hidden pipe leak or water seepage from the building envelope, which falls under the landlord's maintenance obligations.

Your first step is to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing, with clear photos, about the issue. They are typically required to investigate and address the source of the moisture. Until the root cause—like a leak or inadequate waterproofing—is fixed, any cleaning is only a temporary solution. The recent heavy fog and humidity act as an amplifier, but they are rarely the sole cause of a major infestation; they usually expose a pre-existing building flaw.

While the landlord handles the structural repair, responsibility for cleaning personal effects and the apartment's interior surfaces can depend on your rental contract. However, since the damage is to your personal property (clothes) and is due to a building issue, you can negotiate for professional remediation to be covered. For a patch that size, a professional inspection is crucial to identify the exact mold species and the full extent, as hidden growth inside the wall is likely. The humidity in JVC means air conditioning should be run consistently to manage moisture, even when the unit is unoccupied.