Found black mold from AC leak, who to call first?« Back to Previous Page

Contact your landlord or property manager immediately. Under Dubai rental law (RERA), landlords are responsible for maintaining the property's structure and fixing issues like AC leaks that cause mold. Document the mold and leak with photos and send them in writing to create a formal record.

Do not attempt to clean a large patch yourself. Disturbing it can release a high concentration of spores into your living space, potentially worsening your children's coughing. The priority is stopping the moisture source. Your landlord must send an AC technician to repair the leak first; otherwise, the mold will return even after cleaning.

For a patch that size and with health symptoms present, a professional mold inspection is recommended. An inspector can identify the species—many "black molds" in Dubai are Cladosporium or Aspergillus from condensation, not always the toxigenic Stachybotrys—and assess if it has spread inside the wall cavity. They provide a protocol for safe remediation, which a general cleaning company is not equipped to handle.

After the leak is fixed, remediation involves containing the area, removing contaminated materials like drywall, and HEPA vacuuming. Finally, post-remediation verification (like air testing) confirms the spore count has returned to normal levels. This science-driven approach is crucial for resolving the problem completely, especially in our humid climate where hidden mold is common.