Mold in apartment: tenant or landlord responsible for inspection?« Back to Previous Page

In Dubai, responsibility typically depends on the source of the moisture. Landlords are generally responsible for structural issues causing dampness, like leaking pipes, faulty AC drainage, or cracks in the building envelope. Tenants are usually responsible for mold resulting from their lifestyle, such as inadequate ventilation or failing to use the AC to control humidity.

Given your description of a constant AC struggle and a damp storage room, the source could be structural. The persistent humidity in JVC, especially in less-ventilated spaces like cupboards, is a common catalyst. Your first step is to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing, detailing the issue and including photos of the affected belongings. Under Dubai's rental laws, they are obligated to maintain the property in a habitable condition, which includes addressing health hazards like pervasive mold.

For a proper assessment, a professional inspection is needed to identify the exact moisture source. This is crucial, as simply cleaning the visible mold is a temporary fix if the underlying water issue isn't resolved. An inspection involving moisture meters and, if necessary, air or surface sampling, can provide documented evidence of the problem's extent and origin, which is essential for determining liability for the inspection cost and subsequent remediation. The landlord may agree to arrange and pay for this diagnosis if a structural fault is suspected.