Is landlord responsible for mold in JVC apartment wardrobe?« Back to Previous Page
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Our bedroom wardrobe, the one against the exterior wall, has developed a pretty bad black mold problem. We first spotted a few small spots after that heavy dew a couple of weeks ago, but it's spread a lot since then. The musty smell is strong enough that it's starting to bother my allergies. As a tenant in a Jumeirah Village Circle apartment, am I responsible for cleaning this myself, or is this something I need to get my landlord to handle professionally?
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In Dubai, the responsibility for mold remediation typically falls on the landlord if the issue stems from a structural or maintenance-related defect. Mold in a wardrobe against an exterior wall is frequently caused by inadequate insulation or a minor leak in the building envelope, which are the property owner's responsibility to fix.
You should formally notify your landlord or property management company immediately. Document the issue with clear photographs and describe the progression and impact on your health. Under the rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), landlords are obligated to maintain the property in a habitable condition, and persistent mold from a structural cause can constitute a breach of this. They should arrange for a professional inspection to identify the moisture source—be it condensation from the AC, thermal bridging in the wall, or a hidden leak. Until it's resolved, improve ventilation in the room and keep the wardrobe doors open. For a case that has spread and is causing allergic reactions, a professional remediation that includes containment, HEPA vacuuming, and antimicrobial treatment is strongly advised over DIY cleaning, which often disperses spores and doesn't address the root cause. The landlord should cover the cost of both the repair and the remediation if the origin is a building issue. |
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