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

This is an excellent and very common question for Dubai residents, especially with our extreme humidity. The short answer is: it depends on the source of the moisture, but initial reporting is always your responsibility as the tenant.

Under standard Dubai rental law (EJARI terms), the landlord is responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property. This includes fixing leaks in the building's plumbing, AC central chiller lines, or seepage from external walls or roofs that lead to dampness and mold. If the mold in your JVT closet is due to a hidden pipe leak or a crack in the building envelope, the landlord must arrange and pay for the repairs and subsequent professional remediation.

However, as the tenant, you are responsible for reporting the issue promptly and for maintaining adequate ventilation to prevent condensation-related mold, which is extremely prevalent here. Even with a dehumidifier, if the AC is not running sufficiently or cross-ventilation is poor, humidity will win. The fact you found it on an exterior wall is a strong indicator of a potential structural moisture source.

Your first step is to formally report the issue in writing to your landlord or property management company immediately. Do not attempt to clean significant mold growth yourself, especially black mold, as improper handling can aerosolize spores and spread the contamination. We see this make problems much worse.

We strongly recommend a professional inspection to correctly identify the moisture source and the mold species. This provides a technical report you can present to the landlord, clearly establishing liability. If the landlord is unresponsive, this report becomes crucial evidence for RERA.

For a proper assessment and to discuss your specific case, please call our certified inspectors at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com. We can determine the cause and provide the documentation needed for your landlord.