Am I responsible for bathroom mlod in my rental?« Back to Previous Page

My bathroom's ceiling has had these black mold spots growing in the corner for a couple of months, and it's getting worse after every shower. I'm in a rented apartment in Jumeirah Village Circle and my lease is still active for another year. I've tried cleaning it with bleach, but it just comes back. Am I responsible for fixing this myself, or is this something I need to report to my landlord to handle?
Posted by Anita Malhotra
Asked on April 29, 2026 8:00 am
In Dubai rentals, bathroom mold is typically the landlord's responsibility to fix if it stems from a building defect like poor ventilation, leaking pipes, or inadequate waterproofing. Since you're in a leased apartment and the issue is recurring despite cleaning, this points to an underlying problem you should report.

Notify your landlord in writing immediately. Under Dubai's rental laws, they are generally obligated to maintain the property's structural integrity and address issues that affect livability. Document the mold with photos and note your previous cleaning attempts. The persistent return after bleach treatment confirms the mold is systemic, not just surface-level.

For a case like this, a professional inspection is often needed to identify the moisture source—it could be condensation from insufficient exhaust, a leak from the apartment above, or compromised grouting. Given Dubai's high humidity and constant AC use, bathrooms without proper ventilation are mold hotspots. The landlord should arrange for the root cause to be repaired; a simple surface clean is insufficient.

While waiting for a response, run the bathroom exhaust fan for at least 30 minutes after every shower and wipe down wet surfaces to help manage humidity. If the landlord is unresponsive, you can file a complaint with the Dubai Land Department's Rental Dispute Center (RDC).
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on May 2, 2026 5:38 am