Is landlord or tenant responsible for apartment mold?« Back to Previous Page

Good question, and a very common issue here in Dubai, especially in coastal areas like Marina with the high ambient humidity.

The responsibility typically depends on the source of the moisture. If the mould is a direct result of a structural or maintenance issue with the property itself—such as a leaking pipe in the wall, inadequate insulation, or a failure in the building's external waterproofing (a common issue we see)—then the landlord is responsible for the remediation under UAE rental law. Your case, with the mould on an outside wall worsening with the season, strongly suggests a potential penetration or condensation issue that the building owner must address.

However, if the humidity is purely ambient and the issue is exacerbated by tenant behavior (e.g., not using the AC, drying clothes indoors without ventilation), the tenant may be liable for the cleaning costs. The AC is your primary dehumidifier here.

Given that you've spotted black mould, I strongly recommend a professional inspection. Our teams use thermal imaging and moisture meters to pinpoint the exact source—whether it's internal condensation or an external leak. This report is crucial for determining liability and ensuring the fix is permanent, not just a surface clean.

Don't just wipe it; the spores are hazardous. For a definitive assessment and to get the proper documentation for your landlord, give us a call at 800-MOLDS or email hello@saniservice.com. We can provide the expert report you need to resolve the responsibility question.