Is landlord responsible for mold from inside wall?« Back to Previous Page

This is a structural moisture issue, not a ventilation problem. In Dubai, the responsibility for repairs to the building's structure, including leaks from external walls or internal plumbing, falls on the property owner under Law No. (26) of 2007, which regulates the relationship between landlords and tenants. Since the dampness is coming from inside the wall and recurring after heavy rain, the source is almost certainly a leak or seepage through the building envelope, which is the landlord's responsibility to rectify.

Your immediate action should be to formally notify your landlord in writing about the issue, as they are obligated to maintain the property in a habitable condition. Merely wiping the mold is a health risk and an ineffective temporary measure. The wall cavity needs to be opened to identify and fix the water intrusion source—be it a cracked sealant, faulty waterproofing, or a leaking pipe. Until the moisture source is professionally addressed, the mold will continue to return.

For documentation and to clarify responsibility, a professional inspection is critical. An independent assessment can pinpoint the exact source of the moisture intrusion and provide a report that substantiates your claim that this is a structural defect, not a result of tenant behavior. This type of evidence is often necessary to resolve disputes with landlords and building management.