Mold behind wardrobe: call landlord or cleaning company first?« Back to Previous Page

In Dubai's climate, this is a common issue caused by high humidity and condensation from AC units. The gurgling noise suggests a possible drain line clog, leading to excess moisture—the primary cause of mold. The wall behind furniture is a classic trouble spot due to restricted airflow.

You should notify your landlord first, immediately and in writing (email is best). According to typical Dubai rental contracts, the landlord is responsible for addressing structural dampness and fixing faulty appliances like the AC unit. They need to send an AC technician to fix the drain line and likely a professional remediation company to assess and treat the mold. Do not attempt to clean significant growth yourself, as improper methods can aerosolize spores and worsen the problem.

A legitimate inspection will involve a moisture meter reading of the wall and often an air or surface sample sent to a microbiology lab to identify the mold type, which dictates the correct remediation protocol. This is not just surface cleaning; the source moisture must be resolved.

While waiting for the landlord's response, move the wardrobe away from the wall to improve air circulation. Keep the bedroom door and windows open when possible to reduce humidity, but understand that with the AC issue, this is a temporary measure until the root cause is fixed.