Black mold in bedroom closet: landlord or inspector first?« Back to Previous Page

Contact your landlord first and document the issue with photos. Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007 and your tenancy contract generally place the responsibility for structural maintenance, including leaks and water intrusion, on the property owner. They are obligated to address the underlying cause.

Given the location on an exterior wall and the dampness, this strongly suggests a leak from the building envelope or condensation due to the temperature differential between the air-conditioned room and the hot exterior wall. A professional inspection is highly recommended before any cleanup is attempted. The inspection will identify the precise moisture source, which is critical—simply cleaning the visible mold is ineffective if the dampness persists. In Dubai's climate, this problem will recur without fixing the root cause.

For a situation like this, a certified inspector can use moisture meters and thermal imaging to locate the intrusion point without destructive investigation. They can also take a tape lift sample for lab analysis to confirm the mold type, which is important for understanding any potential health risks and for determining the appropriate remediation protocol. This documented evidence is also useful for discussions with your landlord.