Am I or my landlord responsible for mold inspection?« Back to Previous Page

Landlord responsibility typically includes addressing structural issues that cause mold, such as leaks in the building envelope or faulty AC systems leading to condensation. Tenant responsibility generally covers issues from daily living, like inadequate ventilation leading to humidity buildup or not using exhaust fans.

In Dubai's climate, where high humidity and year-round AC use can create significant condensation problems, the cause is often a mix of both. The dampness behind a wardrobe could be due to an external leak or simply because the furniture was placed against an exterior wall that gets cold from AC, causing moisture to condense.

Your first step is to formally notify your landlord or property manager in writing with photos. They are obligated to investigate the source of the moisture. If the cause is clearly a structural leak, they must arrange and pay for the inspection and repairs. For situations where the cause is ambiguous, a professional inspection is the best way to determine liability.

A proper inspection doesn't just identify mold types; it uses moisture meters and thermal imaging to pinpoint the exact moisture source. This objective evidence is crucial for determining responsibility between tenant and landlord. In many tenancy disputes here, a report from a company with its own microbiology lab provides the concrete data needed to resolve who pays for remediation.