Who is responsible for fixing rental mold, tenant or landlord?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai rental law, the landlord is responsible for fixing mold caused by structural issues like leaking pipes, faulty waterproofing, poor ventilation, or a compromised building envelope. These are considered maintenance issues pertaining to the property itself. The tenant is typically responsible for mold resulting from a lack of routine cleaning or failing to use the bathroom's ventilation fan adequately.

Given the description—black mold spreading across the ceiling, worsening with recent humidity—this strongly suggests an underlying moisture issue, which is the landlord's responsibility to investigate and remediate. The persistent cough in your children is a significant health indicator that this should be addressed professionally, not as a simple surface cleaning.

Start by formally notifying your landlord or building management in writing, including photos of the mold. They should send a technician to identify the moisture source, which is often condensation from an AC supply line in the ceiling or inadequate exhaust ventilation. Simply cleaning the visible mold without fixing the source will cause it to return quickly in Dubai's climate.

For a case with potential health impacts and black mold, a professional inspection is advised to identify the species and moisture source. Remediation often requires removing affected porous materials like ceiling tiles or drywall to prevent spores from spreading. While you wait for a response, ensure the bathroom fan runs during and for 30 minutes after showers to help manage humidity.