Is fixing black mold the landlord's responsibility?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007 (as amended), the landlord is generally responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property, which includes addressing leaks and dampness that originate from the building's external structure, plumbing, or AC systems. Since the mold is spreading from behind a fixed wardrobe and the wall is damp, this strongly suggests a hidden leak or condensation issue within the wall cavity, which is a structural maintenance item.

Your first step is to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing, with clear photos of the mold and the damp wall. They are obligated to investigate and rectify the source of the moisture. Simply cleaning the visible mold without fixing the underlying water intrusion is ineffective and it will return quickly in Dubai's humid climate.

If the landlord disputes responsibility, you can file a complaint with the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre in Dubai. For cases like this, a professional inspection with moisture mapping is often needed to definitively identify the source—whether it’s a leaking pipe, AC condensation drain blockage, or capillary action from a poorly sealed balcony—which determines liability. A lab test can also identify the mold species, which is useful documentation if the situation escalates. Do not attempt to remove it yourself, as disturbing extensive growth can aerosolize spores.