Is landlord responsible for bathroom blakc mold as tenant?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai's rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), the landlord is generally responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property, which includes fixing issues with the building envelope, plumbing, and ventilation systems that lead to mold. Since the mold is spreading from the ceiling near an AC vent, this strongly suggests an underlying issue like poor insulation causing condensation, a leaking pipe in the ceiling void, or a faulty AC unit itself—all of which are the landlord's responsibility to rectify.

As a tenant, your obligation is typically to report the issue in writing to the landlord or property manager immediately and allow them a reasonable time to address it. Do not attempt to simply paint over or clean extensive black mold yourself, as this can aerosolize spores and worsen the air quality, potentially exacerbating your children's coughing. The humidity in Dubai, especially during summer months, creates ideal conditions for this rapid growth.

For a case with health symptoms and significant spread, a professional inspection is advised to identify the precise moisture source. This provides documented evidence of the root cause, which is crucial for formally requesting remediation from the landlord. If the landlord is unresponsive, you can file a complaint with the Rental Dispute Settlement Center in Dubai.