Should I trust building maintenance for AC mold inspection?« Back to Previous Page

The AC in my apartment in Jumeirah Village Circle has been leaking a bit for a couple of months, and now I keep waking up with a stuffy nose and a sore throat. I’ve just noticed some black specks starting to form around the vent in the bedroom. What’s the first step I should take for a proper mold inspection here, and can I trust my building’s maintenance to handle it or should I hire an independent company?
Posted by Isabelle Van den Berg
Asked on April 17, 2026 12:15 am
Your symptoms and visible black specks are strong indicators of a mold issue, likely stemming from the AC leak. The consistent humidity in Dubai and the constant condensation from AC units create an ideal environment for mold growth within the system.

The first step is a professional mold inspection. While building maintenance can fix the physical leak, their inspection for biological contamination is often superficial—they typically look for visible growth but lack the tools for a comprehensive assessment. They won’t test the air for spores or identify the specific mold type, which is crucial for understanding health risks and planning remediation.

For a proper inspection, an independent indoor health company is recommended. They use tools like borescopes to inspect inside the AC ducts and air sampling pumps to quantify spore levels in your bedroom air. The most critical part is lab analysis of any samples; this identifies the species (e.g., common Cladosporium vs. more problematic types) and confirms if the AC is the contamination source. This scientific evidence is what you need to ensure the problem is fully resolved, not just cosmetically cleaned.

You can request the maintenance team to stop the leak immediately, as that is their responsibility. For the mold inspection and testing, however, an independent specialist with microbiology lab capabilities will provide the definitive answers needed to protect your health.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 19, 2026 8:28 am