Who is responsible for fixing black mold from a leak?« Back to Previous Page

The responsibility typically falls on the landlord, as they are obligated to maintain the property's structure, including fixing leaks from walls or building infrastructure. Your situation—damp walls and hidden mold growth—strongly suggests a persistent water intrusion issue, which is a structural maintenance problem.

First, document everything with clear photos showing the mold and the damp wall. Then, notify your landlord or property management company in writing immediately. Under most standard tenancy contracts in Dubai, the landlord is responsible for repairs arising from structural defects or building issues. The cost of the actual leak repair and addressing the underlying cause should be theirs.

However, the scope of mold remediation can sometimes become a grey area. The landlord fixes the leak, but the cleanup of the resulting mold may fall to you, the tenant, especially if it's considered a maintenance issue. For a case of black mold spreading along a baseboard, professional assessment is highly recommended to determine the full extent. A proper inspection can identify the moisture source and map the mold growth, which provides crucial evidence for your landlord and ensures the remediation is done correctly, not just cosmetically. In Dubai's climate, simply wiping it away is ineffective; the high humidity and constant AC use mean mold will return unless the moisture source is permanently eliminated and the area is properly treated.