Is landlord responsible for apartment closet mold remediation?« Back to Previous Page

The landlord is typically responsible for fixing the structural cause of the mold, while the tenant is usually responsible for the cleanup of affected personal items. Under UAE tenancy law, the landlord must maintain the property's structure and ensure it is habitable. A persistent damp issue in a wall that leads to mold growth generally points to a structural problem, such as a hidden pipe leak or inadequate insulation, which is their responsibility to investigate and repair.

However, the removal of mold from your personal belongings, like shoes, and the cleaning of surfaces inside the closet often falls to you as the tenant. The constant AC use in JVT is common, but closets are notorious dead zones for airflow, allowing humidity from the ambient air to condense on cooler walls, especially if they are an exterior wall facing the sun.

You should formally notify your landlord in writing about the issue immediately, including photos. Request that they send a professional to identify and remedy the source of the moisture. Do not attempt to paint over or ignore the mold, as the underlying dampness will cause it to return. For a case of this size with visible growth, a professional inspection is advised to properly diagnose the moisture source and scope of growth, which can often be more extensive behind walls. A company with microbiological testing can identify the mold type, which is important for health concerns and remediation planning. This documentation also strengthens your case with the landlord.