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

Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), the landlord is generally responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property. This includes fixing issues like water leaks from plumbing or the building envelope that cause dampness and subsequent mold growth. Since the mold is behind a fixed wardrobe and appeared due to seasonal humidity, it strongly suggests a pre-existing condensation or seepage issue, which is the landlord's responsibility to rectify.

As a tenant, your responsibility is typically limited to reporting the issue in writing to the landlord or property management company immediately and allowing reasonable access for inspection and repairs. You are also responsible for maintaining good ventilation to prevent excess moisture buildup from daily activities.

Given the location in JVC and the timing with the humidity spike, this is a common scenario where warm, moist air condenses on cooler walls, especially behind furniture that restricts airflow. The first step is to have the landlord send a professional to identify and fix the source of the moisture—simply cleaning the visible mold is ineffective if the underlying cause remains. For health safety during the process, a proper assessment can determine the species and recommend appropriate remediation steps.