Is my landlord responsible for bathroom mold near AC?« Back to Previous Page

Landlord responsibility for bathroom mold in Dubai depends on the cause. Under the Dubai Rental Law, landlords must maintain the property's structure and essential systems, including AC units and ventilation. If the mold is due to a building defect like a leaking pipe in the ceiling, poor external waterproofing, or a faulty AC drain line causing condensation, the landlord is typically responsible for the repair and remediation.

However, if the mold growth is primarily a result of tenant lifestyle—such as insufficient use of the bathroom exhaust fan, drying clothes indoors, or not running the AC consistently to manage humidity—the tenant may be liable for the cleanup cost. Dubai's high humidity, especially during summer, exacerbates condensation issues, particularly in bathrooms where steam is produced.

For a patch near an AC vent, the cause could be either. The AC unit might be set too low, causing excessive condensation on the vent and ceiling, which is a system issue. Alternatively, the bathroom's own humidity may not be adequately vented. Since it's a recurring issue in a JVC apartment, a professional inspection is wise to determine the root cause. They can identify if it's a simple condensation problem or a systemic fault. This documented assessment is your strongest evidence for discussing responsibility with your landlord. For immediate action, improve ventilation by running the exhaust fan longer and wiping down wet surfaces to prevent the patch from expanding.