Is black mold in my Dubai villa my responsibility?« Back to Previous Page

This is a common issue in Dubai villas, especially on exterior walls during peak summer. The problem is likely a combination of the extreme outdoor heat and your constantly running AC. The cold air from the AC unit cools that exterior wall surface, causing humidity from the warm indoor air to condense on it. This persistent dampness, often hidden inside the wall, creates the perfect environment for mould to grow.

Under typical Dubai rental contracts, structural issues like water ingress or inadequate insulation that lead to condensation are the landlord's responsibility to rectify. However, if the moisture problem is solely due to your AC usage and lack of ventilation, the maintenance could fall to you. The black spots themselves are your responsibility to clean, but the source of the moisture must be addressed to prevent recurrence.

Your first step is to inform your landlord or property management company in writing with photos. They should assess whether there's a underlying building envelope issue. For a definitive answer on the mould type and the moisture source, a professional inspection is recommended. They use moisture meters and thermal cameras to find the exact cause. In many cases, improving insulation on the cold surface or adjusting AC settings to reduce the temperature differential can help reduce the condensation. Simply cleaning the mould without solving the moisture problem will result in it returning.