Is landlord responsible for bedroom mold behind AC vent?« Back to Previous Page

Landlords in Dubai are typically responsible for addressing mold caused by structural or maintenance issues, such as a leaking roof, faulty AC drain pipes, or poor building sealing. Your situation—mold spreading from behind an AC vent—strongly suggests a condensation or drainage problem within the AC system, which falls under the landlord’s maintenance obligations.

In the humid Dubai climate, AC units constantly remove moisture from the air. If the drain pan is clogged or the insulation around the cooling coils has failed, condensation can accumulate inside the unit and ductwork, creating the damp environment mold needs to grow. This hidden moisture source is why the mold is reappearing despite the AC running.

For a formal resolution, document the issue with dated photos and notify your landlord or property management company in writing. Reference Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007, which regulates landlord-tenant relationships and implies the landlord’s duty to maintain the property in a habitable condition. They should engage a professional to not only clean the visible mold but also diagnose and rectify the root moisture cause within the AC system.

I do not recommend handling significant black mold growth yourself. Disturbing it can release a high concentration of spores into your living space. A proper remediation involves containment, HEPA filtration, and antimicrobial treatment of the affected area. For verification that the issue is fully resolved, a post-remediation test confirming spore counts have returned to normal indoor levels is advisable.