Urgent: black mold in closet, notify landlord immediately?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, notify your landlord immediately and document the issue with photos. Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), landlords are responsible for maintaining the property's structural integrity and addressing issues that affect habitability, which includes mold remediation stemming from building envelope faults like leaking pipes or inadequate insulation.

The recent high humidity accelerates growth, but the root cause is likely a hidden moisture source—a leaking AC condensation drain pipe in the wall or poor external sealing is common here. Do not attempt to clean it yourself with bleach, as this can aerosolize spores and only bleaches the surface, not the root structure. For a patch behind furniture, it has likely been growing slowly for some time and became visible.

While you wait for a response, improve air circulation in the room by running the AC on dry mode and using a portable dehumidifier if available. Move the shoe rack and any stored items away from the wall to allow the area to dry. A professional inspection is advised to identify the moisture source; remediation without fixing the leak will cause it to return quickly. The landlord should arrange for a proper assessment to determine if the issue is surface-level or requires deeper investigation.