Is landlord responsible for closet mold without ventilation?« Back to Previous Page

This is a building maintenance issue, not your responsibility. The core problem is a water leak or intrusion from the last rain, which is a structural defect the landlord must rectify. Under standard Dubai rental contracts (EJARI), the landlord is responsible for maintaining the property's structure, including the integrity of the roof and external walls to prevent water ingress.

Your landlord's claim about ventilation is invalid for an interior closet with no windows or ventilation source. While daily living generates humidity, a persistent damp patch originating from the ceiling after rain clearly points to a leak. The black mold growth is a direct consequence of that unresolved moisture issue.

For documentation, you should formally notify your landlord in writing (email is best) about the leak and mold, requesting immediate repairs. You can reference the Dubai Municipality guidelines that hold property owners accountable for maintaining a habitable and safe environment. Do not attempt to remove the mold yourself, as disturbing it can spread spores.

A professional inspection is needed to identify the exact leak source—often a cracked roof seal or faulty external waterproofing—and assess the full extent of the mold growth, which may be inside the ceiling void. The remediation process must first fix the water leak, then address the mold. In severe cases, this involves removing and replacing affected building materials.