Should my landlord fix the black mold in my shower?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai rental law, the landlord is typically responsible for resolving structural issues and problems arising from inherent building defects, like inadequate ventilation. Since your bathroom lacks a window, creating chronic high humidity, the root cause is likely a design flaw. You should formally notify your landlord in writing about the recurring mold, citing the lack of ventilation as the primary cause.

For immediate management, run the bathroom's exhaust fan for at least 30 minutes after every shower and wipe down wet surfaces with a squeegee. This can help reduce moisture, but it won't solve the underlying issue. The black discoloration in grout is often Cladosporium or Aureobasidium, which are common in humid climates but can cause irritation.

If the mold is only superficial on the grout, deep cleaning may suffice. However, if it has penetrated behind the tiles or into the wall, remediation is needed. A professional inspection can determine the extent; they use moisture meters to see if the wall itself is damp. In many JVC apartments, this is a recurring problem due to the high humidity and condensation levels year-round.

Your request to the landlord should focus on fixing the ventilation problem, not just cleaning the mold. They may need to install a more powerful extraction fan. If they are unresponsive, you can file a complaint with the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre in Dubai, as a chronic dampness issue affecting livability is often grounds for a case.