is black mold inspection the tenant or landlord's responsibility?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai's rental law, the landlord is responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property, which includes addressing the root cause of mold, such as leaks in the building envelope, plumbing, or faulty AC drainage. As the tenant, you are typically responsible for reporting the issue and for the routine cleaning and maintenance of the property, like ensuring AC units are not creating excessive condensation.

Given the visible black mold and your children's symptoms, a professional inspection is strongly recommended to identify the moisture source and assess the mold type. The recent high humidity is a major factor, as Dubai's climate can cause condensation within walls, especially behind furniture where air doesn't circulate. The inspection will determine if the issue is a maintenance flaw (landlord's duty) or a result of tenant living habits (like not running AC sufficiently to control humidity).

Document the mold with photos and formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing. Request they arrange for a proper inspection. For health concerns, you may choose to have an independent inspection done. A reputable provider will use moisture meters and thermal imaging to find hidden dampness and can take air or surface samples for lab analysis to identify the species, which is crucial for understanding potential health risks and planning the correct remediation.