Black mold behind wradrobe causing coughs: who to call first?« Back to Previous Page

Stop using the room and call building maintenance first. In Dubai, landlords are legally responsible for fixing the root cause of water intrusion under the Rental Law. Maintenance must inspect and repair the leak or condensation issue causing the damp wall—this is the critical first step, as cleaning without fixing the source is temporary.

The dampness is likely from a hidden plumbing leak or, more commonly in our climate, condensation from the AC unit's cold air meeting the humid outdoor air, especially on exterior walls. The wardrobe traps this moisture, creating the perfect environment for mold.

For your children's coughs, a professional inspection is strongly advised. The visible patch is often just the surface; the mold can penetrate deeper into the drywall. A certified inspector can assess the full extent, identify the species (not all black mold is the highly toxic Stachybotrys), and recommend a safe remediation protocol to prevent spores from spreading during cleanup. They use containment barriers and HEPA filtration.

Until it's addressed, keep the room ventilated and the AC running on dry mode to lower humidity levels, which should be kept below 60% to inhibit growth. Do not attempt to scrub it yourself, as this can aerosolize spores and worsen the respiratory issues.