Is bathroom mold the landlord's responsibility to fix?« Back to Previous Page

Based on UAE tenancy law, specifically Article 17 of Law No. 26 of 2007, the landlord is generally responsible for all major maintenance and repairs related to the structure of the property, including issues that affect its habitability. Persistent bathroom mold, often caused by underlying leaks, faulty waterproofing, or poor ventilation, typically falls under this category as it is a building integrity issue.

However, the tenant is responsible for maintenance resulting from misuse or negligence. If the mold is clearly due to a failure to use the exhaust fan, clean moisture, or report a minor leak in a timely manner, the cost could be yours. The first step is to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing about the issue, as this starts the legal clock for them to respond and arrange for repairs.

For anything beyond minor surface mildew on grout, I strongly recommend a professional mold inspection. We can identify the moisture source, test to determine the species of mold (some are more hazardous than others), and provide a detailed report that outlines the necessary remediation steps. This report is crucial evidence if you need to escalate the matter with Dubai Municipality or the Rental Dispute Settlement Center.

If the landlord is unresponsive, don't attempt to fix a serious mold problem yourself. For a professional assessment and to understand your rights, call our experts at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com.