Black mold in closet—clean myself or tell landlord?« Back to Previous Page

Tell your landlord immediately. In Dubai, black mold on an interior wall that feels damp strongly suggests a hidden moisture issue, likely from a leak in the external wall or condensation from the AC system. This is a structural and habitability concern, and under standard Dubai rental contracts, the landlord is responsible for investigating and repairing the source of the moisture.

Do not clean it yourself yet. Disturbing the mold can release spores into the air and cleaning it without fixing the underlying cause is only temporary—it will return. Your first step is to document the issue with clear photos and send them to your landlord or property manager in writing, requesting an inspection for the moisture source.

A professional inspection is needed to identify the exact cause, which is often condensation from thermal bridging in external walls or a small leak. They will use a moisture meter to assess the wall's saturation level. Once the leak is fixed and the area is fully dried, then remediation of the mold itself can be properly completed. For a closet with stored fabrics, professional cleaning is advised to prevent cross-contamination of spores onto your clothing.