AC leak causing black mold, who to call first?« Back to Previous Page

Call your landlord first and notify them immediately in writing. Under Dubai rental law, structural issues and maintenance of fixed systems like AC are typically the landlord's responsibility. Document the leak and the black specks with photos and a dated email to create a formal record.

The black specks are likely Stachybotrys or Cladosporium, two molds that thrive in the constant moisture from AC condensation leaks common in high-humidity areas like the Marina. Do not attempt to clean it yourself with bleach, as this can aerosolize spores and only removes surface discoloration, not the root colony.

Your landlord should arrange for an AC technician to fix the leak at its source—this is the critical first step. Once the moisture issue is resolved, a professional mold inspection is needed to assess the extent of growth inside the ceiling and wall cavity, which isn't visible. Proper remediation involves containment, HEPA vacuuming, and antimicrobial treatment to prevent regrowth. A verifiable cleanup requires before-and-after air quality testing, often through a certified microbiology lab, to confirm spore counts have returned to safe levels.