AC leak causing mold in apartment: landlord's responsibility?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007, which regulates the relationship between landlords and tenants, the landlord is generally responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property, including the maintenance of central air conditioning systems and fixing leaks that originate from them. Since the mold is a direct result of an AC unit leak, this is typically the landlord's obligation to rectify.

You should formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing about the leak and the resulting mold growth immediately. Include clear photographs as evidence. They are responsible for arranging the repair of the AC unit to stop the moisture source. For the mold remediation itself, the responsibility for payment can depend on the tenancy contract, but the landlord must ensure the issue is resolved to maintain a habitable property.

Given the visible spread on the wall, this is beyond a simple surface wipe. The wall cavity behind may be affected. Professional assessment is strongly recommended to determine the full extent. In Dubai's high humidity, mold can spread quickly into building materials. Proper remediation involves containing the area, removing contaminated materials like drywall or insulation, and HEPA vacuuming to prevent spores from dispersing.

Attempting a DIY fix often just disturbs the mold, increasing airborne spore levels and potentially worsening allergy symptoms. A reputable mold inspection company can provide documentation of the contamination, which is useful for communicating with your landlord. They can also perform post-remediation verification to confirm the space is truly clean. The priority is stopping the leak first; without that, any mold removal will be temporary.