AC leak and mold in rental: landlord or tenant responsibility?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai rental law, the responsibility for fixing the AC leak falls on the landlord, as it is a maintenance issue with the property's fixture. The resulting mold remediation is also typically the landlord's obligation, provided the leak was reported promptly. Since you've noted the leak has been ongoing for a couple of months, your immediate priority is to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing, detailing the issue and the discovered mold.

Given Dubai's high humidity and constant AC use, what starts as a small leak can quickly lead to significant mold growth behind walls or furniture. A patch of black mold suggests a sustained moisture problem. For a case like this, a professional inspection is advised to assess the full extent of the mold and the precise cause of the leak. This provides documented evidence of the issue's severity, which is useful for discussions with the landlord.

While the landlord handles the structural repair and major remediation, tenant responsibilities include mitigating further damage—this means moving the headboard to allow the area to dry and improving air circulation in the room. The automatic lease renewal does not affect your rights; tenants are entitled to a habitable property. If the landlord is unresponsive, you can file a complaint with the Dubai Land Department's Rental Dispute Center (RDC). For complete remediation, the process should involve fixing the leak, proper mold removal by a certified provider, and a post-remediation verification test to confirm the environment is safe.