Are tenants responsible for black mold removal costs?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai's rental law, responsibility depends on the cause. The landlord is typically responsible for fixing the underlying issue causing the mold, such as a hidden water leak, faulty external waterproofing, or a structural defect. As a tenant, you are generally responsible for issues resulting from your own negligence, like failing to ventilate the room properly or not reporting a leak in a timely manner.

Given the mold is spreading from behind a fixed wardrobe, the source is likely a pre-existing building issue, not tenant negligence. The recent high humidity has simply accelerated its growth, which is common here due to condensation from year-round AC use interacting with our climate. Your first step is to notify your landlord or property manager in writing immediately, with clear photos. Do not attempt to remove it yourself, as improper cleaning can aerosolize spores and worsen the problem.

For a patch this size and with a hidden source, a professional inspection is strongly advised to identify the exact moisture source and assess the extent. The landlord should arrange and cover the cost of the remediation and repairs to the property structure. The repainting afterward, however, is often a point of negotiation; if the underlying fix is the landlord's responsibility, they may cover the full cost, but you may be expected to share the cost of purely cosmetic repainting.