Urgent to treat kids' bedroom mold in Dubai apartment?« Back to Previous Page

My kids have been coughing for the past two weeks and I just found a patch of black mold in the corner of their bedroom closet. The wall feels damp and we live in a ground-floor apartment in Jumeirah that doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight. How urgent is it that I get this professionally treated, and is this something my landlord is legally required to handle immediately?
Posted by Giuseppe Ferrari
Asked on April 26, 2026 1:10 am
Yes, this is an urgent situation that requires immediate professional assessment and remediation. The combination of visible black mold, a damp wall, and your children's respiratory symptoms creates a health priority, especially in Dubai's humid climate where mold can proliferate rapidly.

Legally, your landlord is required to address this. The Dubai Rental Law (Law No. 26 of 2007) mandates that landlords are responsible for all major maintenance work related to the property's structure and core systems. A damp wall causing mold growth qualifies as a structural issue. You should formally notify your landlord in writing (email is best for a paper trail) and request immediate action to identify and fix the moisture source and remediate the mold.

Ground-floor apartments in areas like Jumeirah are particularly susceptible to moisture seepage from the soil, which is exacerbated by high humidity and constant AC use that can create condensation if units are not properly sized or maintained. The mold in the closet is likely just the visible tip of a larger issue inside the wall cavity.

Do not attempt to clean this yourself with bleach, as this can agitate the spores and worsen airborne contamination. A professional inspection is critical to identify the exact moisture source—whether it's a leaking pipe, capillary rise from the ground, or condensation—and to assess the full extent of the growth. They will use moisture meters and, if necessary, air or surface sampling to guide the remediation process, which should include containment of the area to prevent spores from spreading to other parts of your home during cleanup. Your children's ongoing cough is a significant indicator that the indoor air quality has been compromised.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 28, 2026 12:02 pm