AC mold from leak: call landlord or cleaning service first?« Back to Previous Page

Call your landlord immediately. Under Dubai rental law (RERA), landlords are responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property and fixing issues like AC leaks that cause damage. This leak is the source of the problem and must be repaired first; otherwise, any cleaning will be temporary as the mold will just return.

While you wait for the landlord to respond, move any furniture away from the area to prevent further damage. Do not attempt to scrub the mold yourself, as disturbing it can release a high concentration of spores into your indoor air, potentially causing respiratory irritation.

Once the leak is permanently fixed by the landlord's technician, the remediation can begin. For a recurring leak that has soaked into the drywall and carpet, professional assessment is strongly advised. The humid Dubai climate allows mold to establish deep roots in porous materials quickly. A proper remediation involves containing the area, removing contaminated materials like the affected section of drywall and carpet padding, HEPA vacuuming, and antimicrobial treatment to address hidden growth.

A general cleaning company may only wipe surface mold away, which is ineffective for this scenario. You need a company specializing in mold remediation that can provide documentation, such as before-and-after lab tests, to verify the issue is resolved. The landlord may have a preferred provider, but you can also request one that follows IICRC standards for verifiable results.