Is landlord responsible for black mold in wardrobe?« Back to Previous Page

Based on the specific conditions you've described in your Jumeirah apartment, this is a complex issue with shared responsibilities, but the primary cause often dictates the financial responsibility.

Under UAE tenancy law, specifically Law No. (26) of 2007, the landlord is obligated to maintain the property in a habitable condition and is responsible for structural repairs. The key factor is identifying the source of the moisture. The presence of mold on an exterior wall, coinciding with a spike in Dubai's extreme humidity, strongly suggests a potential building envelope issue. This could be a leaking pipe within the wall, inadequate insulation leading to condensation (a common issue with year-round AC use creating temperature differentials), or a crack in the exterior facade. These are structural defects and are unequivocally the landlord's responsibility to investigate and remediate at their cost.

However, as a tenant, you have a duty to properly ventilate the property to manage the inherent humidity levels. If the mold growth is deemed to be solely due to a lack of air circulation within the wardrobe (e.g., from overfilling it or never airing it out), the remediation cost could fall to you.

Given the strong musty odor and location on an exterior wall, this is not a simple surface issue. We strongly recommend a professional inspection to determine the exact moisture source. Our certified inspectors use thermal imaging and moisture meters to differentiate between condensation and intrusion. This evidence-based report is crucial for formally notifying your landlord of their obligation.

For a definitive assessment and to ensure the root cause is fixed, please call our specialists at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com. Saniservice provides certified inspection and remediation services that are critical for resolving such issues permanently in the Dubai climate.