As tenant, am I responsible for mold removal from leak?« Back to Previous Page

Report this to your landlord immediately. In Dubai, the responsibility for structural repairs, including fixing the source of a leak that causes mold, almost always falls on the property owner. As a tenant, your responsibility is typically limited to general maintenance and promptly reporting any issues you discover.

The pattern you describe—black speckled spots, a persistent damp smell, and a dehumidifier that can't keep up—strongly suggests an active moisture source, likely a hidden pipe leak or seepage from the building envelope. This is not just surface condensation, which is common here due to our high humidity and year-round AC use. A professional inspection is needed to locate and diagnose the moisture source; without fixing that, any cleaning will be temporary.

For your health and to protect the property, document everything with clear photos and date-stamped communication to the landlord or property management company. Do not attempt to remove significant mold growth yourself, as disturbing it can spread spores. The landlord should arrange for the leak repair and subsequent remediation, which involves containing the area, safe removal of affected materials, and verifying the space is dry and clean through post-remediation testing.