Is landlord responsible for black mold from unrepaired leak?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007 (Regulating Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai), your landlord is legally obligated to maintain the property and conduct all necessary repairs to ensure it is habitable. This includes fixing the root cause of a persistent leak, which is the source of the mold growth. Their responsibility extends to remediating the resulting mold, as it is a direct consequence of their failure to address the structural issue.

Merely patching the visible leak is insufficient; the underlying cause, such as a pipe fault or seepage from a common area, must be properly identified and repaired. Document your communications with the maintenance team—dates, what was reported, and the temporary fixes performed. Send a formal written notice to the landlord or property management company, reiterating the ongoing issue and the now-present mold, citing its potential health implications.

Given Dubai's high humidity and constant AC use, any moisture issue can rapidly lead to mold. The black, speckled growth indicates an active problem. For a toddler, exposure can exacerbate allergies and respiratory sensitivities. While not all black-colored mold is the notorious Stachybotrys, only professional inspection and lab testing can identify the species and confirm the health risk.

If the landlord continues to be unresponsive, you can file a complaint with the Rental Dispute Center (RDC) in Dubai. For a situation of this persistence, especially with health concerns, a professional assessment is advised to document the moisture source and extent of mold growth, which provides concrete evidence for any formal dispute.