Black mold in bedroom: landlord or cleaning company first?« Back to Previous Page

Contact your landlord first. Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007 (as amended) generally holds landlords responsible for maintaining the property, including addressing structural issues leading to dampness and mold. Send them clear photos of the black spots behind the wardrobe and mention your children's symptoms. This creates a formal record of your request for remediation.

Given the visible growth and health symptoms, a professional inspection is strongly recommended before any cleaning is attempted. The black spots could be Stachybotrys chartarum ("black mold") or another species; only a lab analysis can confirm the type and potential risk. A proper inspection will also identify the moisture source—often condensation from an AC unit, a leaking pipe in the wall, or humidity seepage common during Dubai's summer months.

Do not attempt to clean it yourself with bleach. Disturbing the mold without proper containment can aerosolize spores and spread them throughout your bedroom, potentially worsening the air quality and your children's coughing.

If your landlord is unresponsive or attempts a superficial clean without fixing the moisture problem, you can escalate the matter to the Dubai Land Department or RERA. For immediate health concerns, engaging a company with certified mold inspectors and a microbiology lab ensures the issue is diagnosed correctly. They will provide a protocol for safe remediation and, crucially, post-clearance testing to verify the mold and its allergens are gone.