Black mold from AC leak: call landlord or professional?« Back to Previous Page

The AC in my apartment in Jumeirah Village Circle has been leaking a little for a while, but after the humidity last week, I just found a huge patch of black mold behind the bedroom wall unit. It’s spreading on the wall and the smell is awful. What’s the most effective way to get rid of this safely, and should I call my landlord first or a professional mold removal company here in Dubai?
Posted by Lauren Davis
Asked on May 20, 2026 10:00 pm
Call your landlord immediately. Under Dubai rental law (RERA), they are responsible for maintaining the property's AC system and fixing leaks that cause property damage. Send them clear photos and a written notification to create a formal record.

For a large, spreading patch with a strong odor, this is a serious case requiring professional remediation. The high humidity here accelerates mold growth, and common black molds like Cladosporium or Aspergillus can cause significant respiratory irritation. Do not attempt to remove it yourself with bleach, as this can aerosolize spores and spread them further.

A certified mold remediation company will first contain the area to prevent cross-contamination, safely remove the affected building materials, and use HEPA filtration to clean the air. The most critical step they provide is identifying and fixing the source—the AC leak—to prevent immediate recurrence. For verifiable results, ensure they provide before-and-after testing from an accredited microbiology lab to confirm the spore count has returned to safe levels. Your landlord should coordinate and cover the cost of this repair and remediation.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on May 21, 2026 3:10 pm