Is black mold and AC cough the landlord's responsibility?« Back to Previous Page
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The AC in my apartment in Jumeirah seems to be making my whole family cough, and I’ve just found a patch of black mold behind our bedroom wardrobe. We’ve been in this rental for over a year, but this only started after the heavy humidity a few weeks ago. Is getting a professional mold inspection my responsibility as a tenant, or is this something my landlord needs to handle and pay for?
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A professional inspection is strongly recommended to confirm the type of mold and its source. In Dubai's humid climate, black mold growth is frequently linked to condensation from AC units or hidden leaks within walls, which are structural issues. Your symptoms are a common reaction to mold spores circulated by the AC system.
Under UAE rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), landlords are typically responsible for maintaining the property's structure, including fixing leaks in walls or faulty AC systems that cause moisture intrusion. As a tenant, you are responsible for reporting the issue. Document everything: take clear photos of the mold, note the dates of your symptoms, and formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing about the suspected mold and its health impacts. They are generally obligated to address the root cause. However, the responsibility for the inspection cost can depend on your rental contract. Many tenants proceed with an independent inspection to have documented evidence of the problem and its source, which strengthens your request for the landlord to remediate. A proper inspection includes air and surface sampling to identify the mold species and pinpoint the moisture source, which is crucial for effective remediation. |
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