Black mold in closet: DIY or call Dubai landlord?« Back to Previous Page

First, contact your landlord immediately. Under Dubai rental law (RERA), landlords are responsible for addressing structural issues causing mold, especially on an exterior wall. This is likely related to thermal bridging or water intrusion, both landlord liabilities.

For a small patch (under one square foot), you can clean it yourself with a vinegar or diluted bleach solution. Wear an N95 mask and gloves. However, since this is on an exterior wall and appeared after humidity, the root cause is probably external moisture seeping in. DIY cleaning will only remove the visible growth temporarily; it will almost certainly return without fixing the underlying water source.

The recent humidity spike is a key clue. Dubai's high outdoor humidity, especially at night, condenses on cool surfaces. Your closet's exterior wall is likely a "cold spot," and condensation inside the wall cavity is feeding the mold. This isn't an AC issue per se, but a building envelope issue exacerbated by our climate.

A professional inspection is advised to diagnose the moisture source. They will use a moisture meter on the wall to confirm intrusion or condensation. If the moisture reading is high, the landlord must rectify it—this could involve sealing the exterior, improving insulation, or repairing a leak. Simply repainting or cleaning is insufficient.

Until it's resolved, keep the closet door open for airflow and consider a small desiccant dehumidifier in the room to help manage ambient moisture. Do not ignore it; ongoing mold growth can degrade building materials and affect indoor air quality.