Is landlord responsible for hidden mold from AC leak?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, your landlord is almost certainly responsible for addressing the mold caused by a hidden AC leak. Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), landlords are obligated to maintain the property's structure and essential services, which includes the central AC system and any leaks originating from it. The fact that the mold was hidden and grew from a building system failure, not from your actions (like leaving a window open), places the responsibility on them.

You should report this to your landlord immediately in writing, with clear photos of the mold and the suspected AC leak. This creates a formal record. Given your husband's sinus headaches and congestion—common reactions to prolonged mold exposure—this is a habitability issue that requires urgent attention. Do not attempt to clean a large patch yourself; disturbing it can aerosolize spores and worsen the air quality.

The landlord should arrange for a professional inspection to identify the leak's exact source and assess the mold's extent, which is often greater than what's visible. Remediation must fix the moisture source first (the AC leak), then properly remove the contaminated materials. In Dubai's high humidity, simply wiping the surface is ineffective and mold will return quickly.

If the landlord is unresponsive, you can file a complaint with the Dubai Land Department's Rental Dispute Center (RDC). For your health, consider staying in another room until the issue is resolved.