Is AC mold remediation a landlord's responsibility in Dubai?« Back to Previous Page
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The AC in my bedroom in our Jumeirah Village Triangle apartment has been leaking a little for a couple of months, and now we’ve discovered a patch of black mold on the wall behind the wardrobe. My husband’s allergies have gotten so much worse since it started. Since we’re renting, are we responsible for fixing the AC and cleaning this up, or is it the landlord's job to handle and pay for the remediation?
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In Dubai, the landlord is typically responsible for fixing the AC unit and the resulting mold if the issue is due to a structural fault or a failure of the provided appliance. Since the leak is from the AC itself and has caused property damage (the mold on the wall), this falls under the landlord's obligation to maintain the property in a habitable condition.
Your first step is to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing about the leak and the mold, including clear photographs. They are generally responsible for arranging and paying for the AC repair. For the mold, the remediation scope depends on the cause. Remediation needed due to their AC failure should be their responsibility. Given the visible growth and your husband's aggravated allergies, this warrants a professional inspection. The high humidity and constant AC use in Dubai create a perfect environment for mold to thrive inside walls. A proper assessment can determine the extent of the spread, identify the mold type, and define the required remediation scope, which your landlord can then action. If the landlord is unresponsive, you can reference Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007, which regulates the relationship between landlords and tenants, and consider filing a complaint with the Rental Dispute Center (RDC). For your health, address the mold quickly; do not attempt to clean significant growth yourself as improper handling can disperse spores and worsen air quality. |
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