Is landlord responsible for bedroom cieling mold repair?« 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, fuzzy mold spreading from the corner of the bedroom ceiling, right where the wall meets the ceiling. It’s gotten much worse since the humidity spiked last month. Is this something I need to fix myself with bleach, or is my landlord responsible for the repair and cleaning?
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Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), landlords are responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property. This includes addressing leaks in the building's envelope, such as a roof or external wall, that lead to water intrusion and mold growth. Your situation—mold at the ceiling-wall junction that worsened with high humidity—strongly suggests an underlying moisture source, like condensation from an AC duct leak or seepage from a poorly sealed joint.
Before contacting the landlord, document the issue thoroughly with clear, dated photos and note its progression. In Dubai's climate, surface cleaning with bleach is a temporary fix at best; it doesn't address the moisture problem, and the mold will return. The required repair is to identify and seal the moisture entry point, then properly remediate the affected area. For a formal claim, you need evidence that the cause is structural, not just due to lifestyle. A professional inspection can identify the exact moisture source and provide a documented report, which is powerful evidence when requesting landlord action. If the landlord is unresponsive, you can file a complaint with the Dubai Land Department's Rental Dispute Center (RDC). For a confirmed case of persistent mold, professional remediation is advised to ensure it is handled safely and effectively. |
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