are tenants responsible for mold removal costs« Back to Previous Page

Mold remediation responsibility in Dubai rentals depends on the cause. Tenants are typically responsible for mold resulting from their own actions, like failing to use the AC properly or not reporting a leak promptly. Landlords are responsible for mold caused by structural issues, such as faulty building envelope leaks, inadequate insulation, or pre-existing water damage from burst pipes.

In your JVC apartment, the persistent damp smell and growth despite constant AC use strongly suggests a hidden moisture source, like a seepage issue from an adjacent bathroom or a leak in the external wall. This type of underlying problem is almost always the landlord's responsibility to investigate and fix. The UAE's high humidity means AC systems must run correctly to manage condensation; if the unit is underperforming or the drainage is blocked, that can also be a landlord-maintenance issue.

Your first step is to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing, with clear photos of the affected closet. They should arrange for a professional inspection to identify the moisture source. Do not attempt to remove it yourself with bleach, as this only masks the problem and can worsen indoor air quality. A proper inspection involves moisture meters and often thermal imaging to find the root cause.

Once the cause is documented, the landlord should address the leak or structural fault. Only after the moisture source is permanently fixed should remediation begin. The remediation cost itself is generally negotiated, but if the cause is a building defect, the landlord typically covers it. Always ensure the remediation company provides before-and-after lab testing to verify the space has been returned to a healthy baseline.