Black mold from leak: clean myself or call landlord?« Back to Previous Page

Call your landlord immediately and document the leak and mold with photos before cleaning anything. Under Dubai rental law (RERA), landlords are responsible for fixing leaks and addressing the structural damage causing mold. Cleaning it yourself first may void this responsibility.

For small surface mold (under 1 sqm) from a recent leak, you can clean it with a diluted vinegar or baking soda solution. However, the black spots behind a sofa in a humid Jumeirah villa suggest a persistent moisture issue. This often requires professional assessment to find the hidden leak source—it could be a pipe, groundwater seepage, or condensation from the AC unit.

Given Dubai's high humidity, simply wiping the surface is a temporary fix. The mold will return unless the moisture source is eliminated and the area is properly dried. A professional inspection can determine the extent of the growth and if it has penetrated the drywall or insulation, which is common here. They use moisture meters and thermal cameras to find the full scope of the problem.

Send the documented photos to your landlord and request they send a qualified remediation team. Proper remediation involves fixing the leak, removing affected materials if necessary, and using HEPA filtration to prevent spores from spreading during cleaning—something DIY methods can't achieve.