Am I responsible for cleaning black mold in my apartment?« Back to Previous Page

My kids have been coughing non-stop for the past month, and I finally found black mold spreading behind the wardrobe in our master bedroom. We've lived in this Jumeirah Village Triangle apartment for two years and it's never been an issue until now. Is this something I should report to my landlord to fix, or am I responsible for cleaning it myself since we’ve been here a while?
Posted by Shweta Yadav
Asked on May 17, 2026 5:10 am
Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), landlords are generally responsible for addressing structural issues that lead to mold, such as water leaks, seepage, or faulty AC drainage. Since the mold is behind a wardrobe, it strongly suggests a hidden leak or condensation issue from the building envelope or AC system, which falls under the landlord's maintenance obligations.

You should formally report this to your landlord or property management company immediately. Document the mold with clear photos and detail your children's persistent health symptoms. Do not attempt to clean it yourself, as improper disturbance can release a large number of spores and mycotoxins into your living space, potentially worsening the air quality and health impacts.

The high humidity and constant AC use in Dubai create perfect conditions for mold when a moisture source is present. A professional inspection is necessary to identify and rectify the root cause of the moisture—simply cleaning the visible mold will be a temporary fix if the leak remains. For health concerns of this duration and with visible growth, a certified mold inspection and subsequent remediation by a qualified company is strongly advised to ensure it is handled safely and effectively.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on May 19, 2026 8:56 pm