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

The recurring black mold in your shower grout is a common yet serious issue in Dubai, particularly in older buildings in areas like Jumeirah with inadequate ventilation. This is a classic case of a persistent moisture problem exacerbated by the UAE's high humidity and constant air conditioning use, which creates significant condensation.

Under UAE tenancy law, specifically Law No. (26) of 2007, the responsibility for major maintenance and structural repairs falls on the landlord. This includes issues stemming from inherent building problems like faulty ventilation systems or waterproofing failures behind the tiles. As a tenant, your responsibility is typically limited to minor maintenance and keeping the property clean. However, if the mold infestation is a direct result of your failure to use the ventilation fan, the liability could shift.

Given that you've been cleaning it and it returns worse, this indicates a deeper, subsurface moisture issue that simple cleaning cannot resolve. The mold you see on the grout is likely just the surface manifestation; the root cause is probably trapped moisture within the wall cavity.

I strongly recommend you report this in writing to your landlord immediately and request a professional assessment. DIY cleaning with bleach is ineffective and can aggravate the problem by releasing spores. This requires professional mold inspection and remediation to identify the moisture source, contain the infestation, and properly remediate it.

For a definitive assessment and a solution that addresses the root cause, I advise contacting our specialists at Saniservice. Call 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com. Our certified team can provide a detailed inspection report for your landlord and execute a permanent remediation strategy.