Is a shower leak my or landlord's responsibility?« Back to Previous Page

This is a very common point of confusion for tenants in Dubai Marina and across the UAE. The responsibility for a shower leak hinges on the nature and origin of the defect, as outlined in Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007, known as the Dubai Rental Law.

Typically, the landlord is responsible for the maintenance of the main structure of the property and any inherent defects in the original construction or permanent fixtures. This includes the plumbing infrastructure concealed within the walls and floors. A slow leak from the shower waste pipe or the water supply lines embedded in the slab would almost certainly fall under the landlord's obligation to repair.

However, responsibility may shift to you, the tenant, if the leak is determined to be a result of misuse or negligence. Examples include damage to visible seals, grout, or the shower tray caused by a lack of routine cleaning or physical impact. The three-year period of no issues works in your favor, suggesting an underlying construction or material failure rather than tenant misuse.

Your first and most critical call should absolutely be to the property management company or your landlord immediately. Do not hire an independent plumber first. The maintenance team needs to document the issue, and they will likely dispatch their own authorized contractor to conduct a professional inspection. An unauthorized repair attempt could inadvertently void maintenance warranties and make you liable for further damages.

If the leak has been ongoing, there is a high probability of hidden mold growth within the wall cavity, which presents a serious indoor air quality and health hazard. A specialized hygienization assessment is strongly recommended.

For a definitive assessment and mold inspection, you can call our experts at 800-MOLDS or email hello@saniservice.com. We can provide a detailed report to clarify liability and ensure the remediation is handled correctly.