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

This is an excellent question, and it's a very common issue here in Dubai, especially in areas like Marina with high humidity levels seeping in from the Gulf.

The short answer is that responsibility is often shared, but the initial onus is typically on the landlord. According to common tenancy contract stipulations and Dubai's rental laws (Law No. 26 of 2007), the landlord is responsible for maintaining the property's structure and ensuring its habitability, which includes the proper functioning of major systems like the central AC. Since the mold is developing on the wall itself and you suspect the AC may be undersized or faulty, this points to a potential building or system issue. You should formally notify your landlord or property management company immediately in writing. They are obligated to investigate and address the source of the moisture, which is likely inadequate dehumidification from the AC unit.

However, as a tenant, you have a responsibility to maintain good ventilation and report issues promptly. Running the AC constantly is good, but it must be the correct capacity and setting; ensure it's on a cool temperature with the "dry" mode engaged to remove humidity, not just cold air. For your closet, I'd recommend using a moisture absorber like silica gel packs and leaving some space between the wall and your clothes for air circulation.

Ultimately, the black spots indicate a persistent moisture problem. DIY cleaning is a temporary fix and won't address the root cause. The AC likely needs a professional service check for drainage and cooling capacity, and the mold itself should be professionally assessed to determine the spore type and proper remediation protocol. For a definitive inspection and report you can present to your landlord, it's best to call in experts.

Call 800-MOLDS or 800-66537 to schedule an inspection; we can identify the source and provide a formal report outlining the necessary corrective actions, which is very useful for communicating with your landlord.