Is black shower grout the tenant's or landlord's responsibility?« Back to Previous Page

Black shower grout in a Dubai apartment is typically the tenant's responsibility for cleaning and maintenance. However, the underlying cause and necessary repairs often fall to the landlord.

Your recurring black mould is a classic symptom of Dubai's high humidity and inadequate bathroom ventilation. When steam from long showers isn't extracted, condensation soaks into the porous grout, creating a persistent mould problem. The key distinction is between surface mould and structural damage. As a tenant, you are generally expected to handle routine surface cleaning. But if the mould is penetrating behind the tiles or the grout is cracked and failing, this indicates a failure of the waterproofing system—a structural issue the landlord must address.

First, report the issue to your landlord or property management company in writing. Document it with photos and note that your cleaning efforts are temporary. Under typical tenancy agreements, the landlord is responsible for fixing defects that affect the property's structure or prevent it from being habitable, which includes faulty ventilation or compromised waterproofing. A persistent mould issue that poses a health risk or causes damage falls into this category.

For verification, a professional inspection can determine if the mould is superficial or has spread into the wall cavity. This assessment provides concrete evidence for your landlord. In the meantime, run the bathroom exhaust fan for at least 30 minutes after showering and wipe down wet surfaces to minimize moisture. While bleach can remove surface stains, it doesn't kill the roots in porous grout. For a lasting solution, the ventilation system may need to be checked and the grout may need to be professionally cleaned or replaced.