Is landlord responsible for AC mold inspection in rental?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai tenancy law, the landlord is responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property, which includes the AC system and the walls. Since the leak is from the AC unit and has caused mold growth on the wall, this falls under their obligation for major repairs.

Your first step should be to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing about the persistent leak and mold regrowth. Mention your health symptoms, as this underscores the urgency. They are typically responsible for arranging and covering the cost of the repair to the AC unit to stop the moisture source. However, the responsibility for the mold inspection itself can be less clear-cut and may depend on the cause.

Given the climate, AC leaks are a frequent source of indoor mold in Dubai. Simply wiping the visible mold is ineffective because the moisture inside the wall cavity continues to feed the root system. A professional inspection is crucial to determine the full extent of the hidden damage behind the wall and to identify the mold species, as some types common in damp AC systems can cause the irritation you're experiencing.

Before your lease renewal, it is in your interest to get this documented. You can request that the landlord orders the inspection. If they are unresponsive, you may choose to have it done yourself to understand the health risk and have evidence for negotiation. A proper inspection includes moisture mapping and often requires air or surface sampling analyzed by a microbiology lab to guide the correct remediation strategy.