Is black mold in my rental my responsibility to fix?« Back to Previous Page

Based on the UAE Civil Code (Federal Law No. 5 of 1985), the responsibility for structural repairs and issues arising from the building's fabric itself typically falls upon the landlord. The black mold spreading from the corner of your ceiling in Jumeirah Village Circle is a classic sign of a persistent moisture issue, likely a hidden water leak from a pipe in the slab above or, more commonly in Dubai, condensation due to thermal bridging. The constant high humidity combined with year-round air conditioning creates a significant temperature differential between the conditioned space and the concrete structure, leading to condensation within the walls and ceilings.

Given that your one-year-old son is already exhibiting potential health symptoms, this is a serious matter that requires immediate professional attention. Do not attempt to clean this yourself, as disturbing the mold can release a high concentration of spores into the air. You are obligated to report this in writing to your landlord or property management company immediately. It is their responsibility to address the root cause of the moisture intrusion.

However, to protect your family's health and ensure the landlord's remediation is done correctly, I strongly recommend you arrange for a professional, independent mold inspection. A certified inspector will conduct air and surface sampling to identify the species and concentration of mold, which is critical for understanding the health risk, and perform a comprehensive moisture mapping assessment to pinpoint the exact source of the water. This provides an objective report you can present to your landlord to ensure the problem is fixed correctly, not just cosmetically painted over.

For a certified inspection and detailed report to present to your landlord, contact our specialists at Saniservice. Call 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com to schedule a assessment.