Who pays for black mold in a rented apartment?« Back to Previous Page

Your landlord is typically responsible for fixing the structural issue causing the mold. In Dubai, the landlord's obligation is to provide a habitable property, which includes addressing problems like water leaks and resulting mold that make the unit unfit for living.

Your responsibility is to report the issue immediately in writing, as delayed reporting can make you liable for the resulting damage. The humidity we experience, especially during summer, accelerates mold growth from any underlying moisture problem, like a hidden pipe leak or seepage from the external wall.

Before moving anything, document the mold with clear photos and videos as evidence. A professional inspection is crucial to identify the exact moisture source—it’s often not visible and requires thermal imaging or moisture meters. Simply cleaning the visible mold without fixing the root cause will lead to its rapid return. For a patch that large, remediation is not a DIY task due to health risks from spore dispersal.

Send a formal written notification to your landlord or building management, including your evidence, and request they send a professional to diagnose and remediate the issue. If they are unresponsive, you can escalate the matter to the Rental Dispute Center (RDC) in Dubai.