Who is responsible for paying for mold remediation?« Back to Previous Page

The AC in my bedroom has been leaking a bit, and now there's a growing black mold patch on the wall behind the wardrobe. I reported the leak to my landlord a couple of weeks ago but nothing's been fixed, and the mold is getting worse. My clothes in that cupboard are starting to smell damp. Who is responsible for paying for the mold remediation—is it me as the tenant or the building management?
Posted by William Jones
Asked on April 11, 2026 2:10 am
The responsibility for mold remediation in Dubai typically falls on the property owner or landlord, especially when the root cause is a maintenance issue like an AC leak. According to common tenancy law interpretations, landlords are responsible for the structural integrity of the property and fixing issues with installed systems such as air conditioning.

Your immediate priority is to document the issue. Send a formal written follow-up to your landlord or building management, citing the initial report from two weeks ago and including clear, dated photos of the worsening mold and leak. This creates a necessary paper trail. The persistent high humidity here accelerates mold growth from any water source, making prompt repair critical to prevent further damage to the wall and your belongings.

For a situation where the mold is visible, growing, and causing odor, a professional inspection is strongly advised to assess the extent behind the wardrobe. Remediation is more than cleaning the surface; it involves fixing the moisture source and properly treating the affected area to prevent recurrence. If the landlord remains unresponsive, you may need to reference your tenancy contract and consider escalating the matter through official channels like the Dubai Land Department's Rental Dispute Center. The cost of addressing the leak's cause is almost certainly the landlord's duty, while the specifics of remediation for belongings may depend on your contract's clauses.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 12, 2026 1:42 am