AC leak causing mold in rental: landlord or professional?« Back to Previous Page

The AC leak is the primary issue that must be fixed first, and under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), this is your landlord's responsibility for maintenance of AC units and the property's structure. You should immediately notify them in writing about the leak and the resulting mold growth. They are obligated to address the source of the water intrusion.

For the mold itself, simply wiping the surface is insufficient as the moisture has likely penetrated the carpet and underlay. In Dubai's high humidity, this allows it to regrow quickly. The landlord's general maintenance team can handle the leak repair and may attempt a basic clean-up. However, if the patch is spreading or there's a persistent musty odor, a professional assessment is prudent to ensure the hidden moisture is fully resolved.

Professional remediation becomes necessary if the area is larger than one square meter, if it has spread to drywall, or if occupants are experiencing health effects. A reputable company will use moisture meters to find the full extent of the dampness, remove and dispose of contaminated porous materials like carpet, and employ HEPA filtration to clean the air. The cost is driven by the area affected and accessibility; small, contained patches are a straightforward job, while larger areas requiring containment will be more involved. Always request a post-remediation verification test to confirm the space is truly clean and the spore count has returned to normal levels.