Is landlord responsible for bedroom ceiling mold?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai's rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), the landlord is generally responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property. This includes issues arising from inherent building faults like leaking central AC condensation lines, faulty external waterproofing, or poor insulation that leads to persistent condensation. Since the mold is on the ceiling near the AC vent and grew with humidity, it strongly suggests a condensation or water leak issue, which is typically the landlord's responsibility to investigate and fix at its source.

You should formally notify your landlord or building management in writing immediately, including clear photos. They are obligated to address the root cause. For a patch that is actively spreading, a professional inspection is recommended to identify the exact moisture source and mold species. In the Dubai climate, with high humidity and year-round AC use, condensation within ceiling voids is a common, hidden problem.

While waiting for a response, you can help control humidity by running your AC continuously on dry mode and ensuring the room is well-ventilated. Do not attempt to remove it yourself with bleach, as this will only temporarily remove the visible stain without addressing the underlying moisture problem, causing it to return. The remediation process itself, once the leak is fixed, may be a point of discussion with the landlord, but their primary legal obligation is to resolve the structural cause of the moisture intrusion.