Black mold in bedroom: call landlord or cleaner?« Back to Previous Page

Call your landlord immediately. In Dubai, landlords are legally responsible for maintaining the property's structure and fixing issues like leaks that cause mold. Do not hire a cleaner first, as this could mask the symptom without addressing the root cause, potentially making you liable for the underlying damage.

The location you describe—an outside-facing wall in a villa—is a classic spot for a hidden leak or severe condensation. The recent high humidity accelerates this, but the source is likely a breach in the building envelope or a faulty pipe. A professional inspection is necessary to identify the moisture source using tools like thermal cameras and moisture meters. Simply cleaning the visible mold is a temporary fix; it will return unless the water intrusion is stopped.

Your landlord should arrange for a proper assessment. A legitimate inspection will not just look at the mold but will diagnose the moisture pathway. Once the leak is repaired and the area dried, then remediation of the mold itself can begin. For a small patch, this might involve cleaning with appropriate antimicrobial solutions. For anything more extensive, controlled removal is needed to prevent spores from spreading to other parts of the home.

If your landlord is unresponsive, you can reference the rental law in Dubai which holds them responsible for such repairs. For your own assessment, a company with its own microbiology lab can provide a culture to identify the mold type and verify the cleanup was successful through post-remediation testing.