Who is responsible for mold on an external wall?« Back to Previous Page

We've lived in our Jumeirah Village Circle apartment for two years and just noticed a patch of black mold in the corner of our master bedroom closet, which is on an exterior wall. It seems to have gotten worse since the recent humidity spike. I'm worried about our health and the damage, but I'm not sure if this is something I need to fix myself or if the landlord is responsible for addressing it. Who is legally responsible for mold remediation in a rental here, especially when it's on an external wall – the tenant or the landlord?
Posted by Abdullah Al-Farsi
Asked on April 20, 2026 1:20 pm
Responsibility depends on the source of the moisture. For mold on an external wall, the cause is typically a structural or building envelope issue, like water seepage through the wall or a leak in the external waterproofing. Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), landlords are responsible for maintaining the property's structure and exterior, making them liable for repairs in this scenario.

You must formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing, detailing the issue and requesting immediate remediation. They are obligated to address the root cause. However, tenant responsibilities include routine cleaning and maintaining adequate ventilation to prevent condensation, which is a major mold catalyst in Dubai's humid climate.

Given the mold is inside a closet on an exterior wall, a professional inspection is strongly recommended to identify the exact moisture source. This provides documented evidence for your landlord and ensures the correct fix is applied, not just a surface cleaning. For health safety, avoid disturbing the patch until it's assessed.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 22, 2026 7:14 pm