Is landlord responsible for bathroom mold near AC vent?« Back to Previous Page
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We've lived in our Jumeirah Village Circle apartment for two years and just noticed a patch of black mold growing in the corner of the bathroom ceiling, near the AC vent. It's gotten noticeably worse since the humidity spiked a few weeks ago. I wipe it away with vinegar, but it always comes back within days. As a tenant, am I responsible for fixing this, or is this something the landlord needs to handle, especially if it's related to a building ventilation issue?
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Under Dubai's rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), the landlord is generally responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property and its core systems, which includes the building's ventilation and AC infrastructure. Since the mold is recurring near the AC vent, this strongly suggests an underlying issue with condensation or a leak in the ductwork, which falls under the landlord's maintenance obligations.
As a tenant, your responsibility is typically to maintain cleanliness and report issues promptly. Document the recurrence with photos, especially after cleaning it, to show it's a persistent problem and not due to a lack of cleaning. Wiping with vinegar only addresses surface growth; the hidden moisture source inside the wall or AC system must be identified and resolved. Given Dubai's high humidity, this is a common issue. The condensation from the AC unit can create a constant damp environment perfect for mold. A professional inspection can determine if the problem is a poorly insulated vent, a clogged drain pan, or a wider building ventilation flaw. For a verifiable resolution, the landlord should engage a specialist to diagnose and remediate the root cause, not just wipe the visible mold. |
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