Who to call first for mold: landlord or cleaning company?« Back to Previous Page

Contact your landlord first. In Dubai, landlords are legally responsible for maintaining the property, including addressing structural issues like leaks or poor ventilation that cause mold. Document the black spots with photos and send a formal written notification to them, as this creates a necessary record.

While you wait for their response, do not attempt to clean it yourself. Disturbing mold can release a high concentration of spores, potentially worsening your children's coughing. A professional inspection is the critical next step to assess the extent behind the wardrobe and identify the moisture source—often a small leak, condensation from AC ducts, or humidity seeping through external walls, which is common during humid periods.

Your landlord may send a general handyman, but for a suspected health impact, insist on a certified mold inspector who can provide lab analysis. This identifies the species and verifies the remediation was successful. The landlord is obligated to fix the cause, but you may need to coordinate the diagnostic testing. Only after the inspection and moisture fix should a specialized remediation company be engaged for safe removal.