Is landlord responsible for black mold in apartment?« Back to Previous Page
|
My kids have been coughing and I suspect it's from the black mold I just found spreading along the bottom of the wardrobe in our master bedroom. It's been extra humid lately and I think it's coming from the wall behind it. We've been in this Discovery Gardens apartment for a year without any issues until now.
Am I responsible for cleaning this and fixing the wardrobe, or is this something I need to report to my landlord to handle?
|
|
Based on UAE rental law, specifically Law No. (26) of 2007, the landlord is unequivocally responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property. This includes addressing the root cause of the mold growth you've described. The black mold spreading along the bottom of the wardrobe is a strong indicator of a persistent moisture issue, likely stemming from a leaking pipe within the wall, rising damp, or a flaw in the building's external waterproofing. These are structural defects that fall squarely under the landlord's obligation to rectify.
Your description of the recent humidity and the location of the mold suggests a condensation issue exacerbated by the year-round AC cycle common in Dubai's climate, but the fact that it is appearing from behind the wardrobe points to a more serious, hidden problem. The health symptoms your children are experiencing, such as coughing, are a significant concern and underscore the urgency of professional assessment. Your immediate course of action should be to formally report the issue in writing to your landlord or property management company, detailing the visible mold and the suspected hidden moisture source. You should request a professional mold inspection to identify the exact extent and cause. Do not attempt to clean it yourself, as improper disturbance can aerosolize toxic spores and worsen the air quality. For a comprehensive assessment and remediation plan that identifies the moisture source and safely removes the contamination, I strongly recommend contacting our specialists at Saniservice. Call 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com. We can provide a detailed report for your landlord, confirming the cause and necessary remedial actions, which is often required to expedite the landlord's response. |
Please log in to post questions/answers: