Black mold in bedroom corner: clean or call landlord?« Back to Previous Page

Call your landlord immediately. In Dubai's rental market, the responsibility for structural repairs and addressing issues like mold caused by building defects (such as poor insulation leading to condensation) typically falls on the property owner. Document the issue with clear photos and notify them in writing to create a formal record.

The location directly above the AC vent is a major clue. In Marina apartments, this is often due to a thermal bridge where the cold ceiling meets the warmer exterior wall, causing condensation that the AC cannot manage. This constant moisture is what allows the mold to thrive. The damp smell confirms an active moisture problem.

For your safety, avoid disturbing it. Cleaning the visible growth yourself is a temporary fix and will aerosolize spores, potentially worsening your indoor air quality. The underlying moisture issue will simply cause it to return. The landlord needs to send a professional to first identify and rectify the source of the condensation—often requiring improved insulation or sealing—before any remediation is attempted.

A professional inspection is advised to assess the extent. They can use a moisture meter to find the exact condensation points and recommend permanent solutions. Proper remediation involves containing the area, safe removal of affected materials, and HEPA vacuuming to clear spores, followed by addressing the root cause to prevent recurrence.