Is bathroom mold treatment landlord or tenant responsibility?« Back to Previous Page

In Dubai, responsibility for bathroom mold treatment depends on the source of the moisture. Tenants are generally responsible for damage caused by their own lack of ventilation or cleaning. Landlords are responsible for fixing structural issues causing the moisture, like leaking pipes inside the walls, faulty waterproofing, or inadequate ventilation systems.

Your situation in an older Deira building points to a chronic humidity issue, which is extremely common here. The constant high humidity and condensation from hot showers, combined with potentially weak bathroom exhaust fans, create a perfect environment for mold. Since the mold is recurring behind the toilet—a common spot for concealed pipe leaks—a professional inspection is needed to determine the root cause. Scrubbing only addresses surface growth, not the underlying moisture problem.

Document the issue with photos and formally notify your landlord or building management. They should arrange for an assessment to check for hidden leaks or ventilation failures. If the inspection confirms a structural or maintenance issue, they are obligated to rectify it under typical Dubai rental contracts. For a definitive answer on the mold type and source, a professional inspection with moisture mapping and, if necessary, lab analysis of the growth can provide evidence for who should handle and pay for the remediation.