Black mold in closet: contact landlord or specialist first?« Back to Previous Page

Document the mold with clear photos and notify your landlord in writing immediately, as per Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007) which generally holds them responsible for structural maintenance. For a closet on an interior wall, the cause is likely high humidity and condensation, a common issue here due to our climate and year-round AC use creating temperature differentials.

Do not attempt to clean it yourself, as improper handling can disperse spores. A professional inspection is the next step to determine if the problem is surface-level or inside the wall, which requires moisture meters and borescope cameras. The landlord may have a company they use, but you have the right to request a certified specialist for an unbiased assessment.

Look for a provider that conducts a proper diagnostic, not just a treatment quote. They should identify the moisture source—often a small AC leak, plumbing condensation, or humidity from en-suite bathrooms—and provide a lab report on the mold type. Remediation involves fixing the water source, containing the area, and removing affected materials. After treatment, request verification that humidity levels and spore counts have returned to acceptable ranges.