Is mold inspection landlord's responsibility in Dubai rental?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007 (as amended), landlords are responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property, which includes addressing issues like water leaks and rising damp that lead to mold growth. Since the mold is behind a fixed wardrobe and you've noted persistent dampness, this likely points to an underlying structural or maintenance issue, making it the landlord's responsibility to investigate and remediate the cause.

You should formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing, including photos of the mold and a description of the ongoing dampness and your children's health symptoms. They are obligated to address the root cause, such as a leak or inadequate waterproofing. The high humidity and constant AC use in Dubai can cause condensation if a property isn't properly sealed, a common issue here.

While the landlord handles the fix, the inspection process itself can be a point of discussion. For a case involving health symptoms and visible growth, a professional inspection is strongly advised to identify all affected areas and the mold type. Some landlords may arrange this directly, while others may expect you to and then reimburse the cost, as it's for diagnosing their property's issue. To ensure verifiable results, the inspection should include moisture mapping and air/surface sampling sent to an accredited microbiology lab for analysis.

Start by notifying your landlord immediately. If they are unresponsive, you can file a complaint with the Rental Dispute Center (RDC) in Dubai. Given the health concerns, do not delay; proper identification of the moisture source is critical to resolving the problem permanently.