Should we contact our landlord about AC mold in Jumeirah?« Back to Previous Page

The AC in my apartment in Jumeirah Village Circle has been leaking a bit, and now I’m finding patches of black mold in the closet on the wall where the unit is. My husband and I have both had a weird, persistent cough and headaches for the last couple of weeks. What’s the most effective and safe way to get this professionally cleaned here, and should we be talking to our landlord about this first?
Posted by Jan Becker
Asked on May 3, 2026 9:35 am
Yes, you should absolutely contact your landlord first. Under Dubai's rental regulations, landlords are generally responsible for maintaining the property's structure and essential systems, including the AC and its associated drainage, which is the likely source of your leak and subsequent mold. This is a maintenance issue they are obligated to address.

For a situation involving visible growth and correlating health symptoms like a persistent cough and headaches, a professional inspection is strongly advised. The humid climate and constant AC use create ideal conditions for mold, especially when a leak provides a constant moisture source. The process should start with identifying and fixing the AC leak—this is the critical first step, as any cleaning is temporary if the moisture issue remains.

The most effective remediation involves containment of the affected closet to prevent spore dispersal, physical removal of the moldy materials (e.g., drywall, insulation), and HEPA vacuuming of all surfaces. Merely spraying a biocide is insufficient. For your health and to verify the cleanup, consider a post-remediation verification test from an independent lab to confirm spore counts have returned to normal indoor levels.

Until it's resolved, minimize your exposure to the area. Keep the closet door closed and consider using an air purifier with a HEPA filter in the bedroom to help reduce airborne spores.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on May 5, 2026 10:43 pm