Am I or my landlord responsible for mold from AC leak?« Back to Previous Page

The landlord is almost certainly responsible for the mold remediation and AC repair. Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), landlords must maintain the property in a habitable condition, which includes ensuring all installed fixtures like AC units function correctly and do not cause property damage. Since the leak from their AC unit is the root cause, the responsibility for fixing the leak and the resulting damage falls on them.

Your duty as a tenant is to report issues promptly, which you have done. Document everything: take clear, dated photos of the leak, the mold growth, and any damaged belongings. Follow up your previous report with a written notification (email is best) to the landlord or property management company, reiterating the ongoing issue and the new mold growth. This creates a necessary paper trail.

Given Dubai's high humidity, mold can spread quickly behind walls from a persistent leak, often requiring more than simple wiping. For a spreading patch, a professional inspection is advised to assess the extent of the moisture damage and identify the mold species. This documented assessment from a certified provider is your strongest evidence for the landlord, showing the severity is beyond superficial cleaning. If the landlord remains unresponsive, you can escalate the matter to the Dubai Land Department's Rental Dispute Center (RDC).