Are tenants or landlords in Dubai responsible for mold?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai rental law, the responsibility for mold remediation hinges on the cause of the moisture. The landlord is legally obligated to maintain the property's structure and ensure it is habitable. This includes fixing underlying construction issues like leaking pipes, faulty external waterproofing, or a defective AC system that fails to dehumidify properly. The recent fog (known locally as alkous) creates extreme ambient humidity that can overwhelm an underperforming AC unit, which is a building system issue.

However, if the dampness is proven to be solely from tenant habits—like drying clothes indoors without ventilation or failing to use the AC—the responsibility could shift. The landlord’s claim about ventilation is a common first response. Your best course of action is to document the issue thoroughly with time-stamped photos and request a professional inspection to identify the root cause. A certified inspector can determine if the AC's drainage and cooling capacity are adequate for the room size and Dubai's climate, which is the landlord's responsibility to provide. If the inspection reveals a structural or mechanical fault, formally request repairs in writing. For severe, recurring mold, a laboratory test can identify the species, which is often necessary to demonstrate the seriousness of the health and habitability concern to the landlord.