AC leak causing mold: emergency call to landlord?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, you should call your landlord today. A continuous water leak with visible mold growth is considered urgent under typical Dubai tenancy agreements, as it constitutes property damage that will worsen.

The immediate risk is the mold spreading inside the wall cavity from the damp baseboard. Dubai's high humidity acts as a catalyst, allowing colonies to establish and release spores into your AC airflow within days. Your priority is stopping the water source. The landlord is responsible for repairing the AC drain line or condensate pan leak. For the existing mold, simply wiping the visible patch isn't enough if the wall is saturated.

Document the leak and mold with time-stamped photos and send them to your landlord or property manager immediately. This creates a formal record of the issue and its condition. While you wait for a response, you can place a towel down to soak up the standing water and move any furniture away from the area to improve air circulation.

Once the leak is fixed, the damp materials must be properly addressed. Porous materials like wet drywall or carpet padding often require cutting out and replacement to prevent the mold from regressing. For a proper resolution, request that the remediation is verified, not just visually cleaned. A post-remediation verification test from an independent lab is the only way to confirm the indoor air quality is safe and the mold has been effectively removed. This is a standard practice for science-led companies in the UAE.