Black mold behind wardrobe: fix myself or call landlord?« Back to Previous Page

We've lived here for 2 years and just noticed a bunch of black spots spreading along the wall behind our bedroom wardrobe. It's on the wall that faces the outside of the building, and the room always feels more humid than the rest of our apartment in Jumeirah Village Circle. What's the most effective way to get rid of this for good, and should I call my landlord first or just handle it myself?
Posted by James Wilson
Asked on April 4, 2026 4:28 pm
Based on your description, this is a classic case of mold growth exacerbated by the Dubai climate. The location—on an exterior wall behind furniture—strongly indicates a condensation issue. The wall is likely a thermal bridge, where the outside heat meets your year-round air-conditioning, creating a cold surface where moisture from the humid air condenses. The wardrobe then traps this moisture, creating a perfect, dark, stagnant environment for mold (likely Cladosporium or Stachybotrys) to thrive.

Do not attempt to handle this yourself with bleach or store-bought solutions. These are superficial fixes that will not address the underlying moisture source. Disturbing the mold without proper containment can also cause spores to aerosolize and spread throughout your apartment, potentially affecting your indoor air quality and health.

Your first step is absolutely to contact your landlord immediately. According to typical rental regulations in Dubai (Law No. 26 of 2007), the landlord is responsible for maintaining the property's structure and ensuring it is habitable, which includes addressing moisture ingress and mold problems stemming from the building envelope. Document the issue with clear photographs and formally notify them. A professional inspection is crucial to determine the root cause, which could be insufficient insulation, a minor crack in the building facade, or faulty seals.

For a permanent solution, the area requires expert assessment and remediation. Our team at Saniservice specializes in this exact scenario. We conduct a comprehensive inspection to identify the moisture source, perform precise air and surface sampling to identify the mold species, and execute a controlled remediation process using industrial-grade HEPA filtration and antimicrobial treatments to ensure complete removal and prevent recurrence.

For immediate advice and to schedule a professional inspection, please call us at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 6, 2026 7:55 am