Is AC mold in my rental the landlord's responsibility?« Back to Previous Page

We've been in our Jumeirah Village Circle apartment for about a year, and for the last few months, a really bad moldy smell has been coming from the AC vents whenever the chiller turns on. I finally pulled the filter out and the insulation around the actual unit inside is covered in black spots. With the summer heat being so brutal, is it my responsibility as a tenant to get this cleaned, or is this something the landlord has to handle because it's part of the building's central chiller system?
Posted by James Lewis
Asked on March 28, 2026 8:22 am
Based on UAE tenancy law, specifically Law No. (26) of 2007, the landlord is generally responsible for the maintenance of the main structural parts of the property, including the central air conditioning and cooling systems. Since you're in JVC and describing a central chiller system, this is a critical building utility, not a standalone AC unit.

The black spotted insulation you're seeing is a severe contamination issue, likely stemming from microbial growth within the ductwork or the FCU (Fan Coil Unit) itself. This is a health hazard and significantly impacts the system's performance. The landlord is obligated to provide a habitable premises, and a malfunctioning chiller system that's emitting mold spores absolutely falls under that.

Your first step is to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing about the issue, detailing the smell and the visible contamination. They are required to arrange for a professional hygienization service. Do not attempt to clean this yourself, as improper handling can aerosolize toxins and spread the contamination further.

Given the extent you've described, a full assessment and remediation by a certified company like ours is crucial. We use specialized equipment like borescopes to inspect deep within the ducts and employ hospital-grade disinfectants to properly sanitize the system.

For immediate assistance with inspection and to get the proper documentation for your landlord, you can reach our certified team at 800-MOLDS or hello@saniservice.com.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on March 31, 2026 2:27 am