Is black shower grout landlord's responsibility in rental?« Back to Previous Page

Black shower grout is almost always a landlord's responsibility under Dubai rental law, as it's a maintenance issue stemming from the property's condition. The black discoloration is typically Cladosporium or Aureobasidium mould, which thrives in the high humidity and poor ventilation common in older Bur Dubai buildings.

Legally, your landlord is obligated to maintain the property in a habitable condition. Since this is a recurring issue caused by inadequate ventilation—a fundamental building system—it falls on them to rectify the root cause, not just the symptom. You should formally notify them in writing (email is best) and request a permanent fix.

For a temporary measure while you wait, use a hydrogen peroxide-based cleaner instead of bleach; it kills the mould deeper in the porous grout and is more effective at suppressing the musty odour. However, scrubbing only addresses the surface and the mould will return without improved airflow.

If the landlord is unresponsive, you can file a complaint with the Rental Dispute Center (RDC) in Dubai. They typically rule in favour of tenants for habitability issues like chronic mould. A professional inspection can document the moisture source and ventilation failure, which strengthens your case. Given Dubai's climate, the underlying cause is almost certainly condensation from the lack of a properly functioning bathroom exhaust fan.