AC and mold in bedroom: landlord or management first?« Back to Previous Page

First, document the issue thoroughly with clear photos and videos showing the leak source, water damage, and mold growth. In Dubai, the landlord is almost always responsible for repairing the AC unit itself and any resultant damage to the property, including mold remediation, as stipulated in most tenancy contracts.

Notify your landlord in writing immediately, citing the AC malfunction and the health hazard. If the AC unit is a central system managed by the building, you may need to also inform building management to address the leak at its source, but the landlord remains your primary point of contact for the interior damage. For a case this severe, with significant growth and proximity to your sleeping area, professional remediation is non-negotiable.

A proper remediation involves isolating the area, removing contaminated porous materials like drywall, HEPA vacuuming, and antimicrobial treatment to address the root cause. The constant humidity and year-round AC use in Dubai creates a perfect environment for this issue, so simply cleaning the surface is ineffective. A professional inspection can identify the mold species and the full extent of the spread, which is often wider than what's visible. While you wait, keep the area ventilated and avoid disturbing the mold to prevent spore dispersal.

If your landlord is unresponsive, you can reference the rental law and escalate to the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre in Dubai. Your health is the priority, so consider temporary relocation if the mold is extensive.