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

My kids have been coughing for a couple of weeks and I finally found black mold growing behind the wardrobe in our master bedroom, which is on the exterior wall. We’re in an older building in Al Barsha and this started right after that period of heavy humidity last month. Is getting this cleaned up and repainted my landlord's responsibility, or is this on me as the tenant?
Posted by Bader Hamid
Asked on March 21, 2026 12:43 am
Based on UAE law, specifically Law No. 26 of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai (as amended), the responsibility for mold remediation is typically determined by the source of the moisture.

The landlord is legally obligated to maintain the property's structural integrity. Since the mold is on an exterior wall and you've correlated its appearance with a period of high humidity, this strongly suggests an underlying structural or maintenance issue. Potential causes that fall under the landlord's purview include penetrating damp through cracks in the external wall, faulty waterproofing, inadequate insulation leading to thermal bridging and condensation, or leaking pipes within the building's structure. The landlord is responsible for investigating and rectifying this root cause.

However, as the tenant, you have a duty to maintain the property's internal cleanliness and to ventilate it appropriately to manage the high humidity levels inherent to Dubai's climate. If the moisture issue is solely due to internal condensation from activities like drying clothes indoors or failing to use AC/dehumidifiers, the responsibility for cleaning the resultant surface mold could be argued to be yours.

Given that the mold growth is significant enough to cause health symptoms (coughing in children) and is hidden behind furniture, this is a serious case. We strongly recommend a professional inspection to accurately identify the moisture source. Our certified inspectors use thermal imaging and moisture meters to diagnose the problem definitively, which is crucial for determining liability and ensuring the remediation is permanent, not just a cosmetic cover-up.

Do not simply clean and repaint, as this will not address the underlying moisture problem and the mold will return. For a professional assessment and a remediation plan that addresses the root cause, please contact Saniservice at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or hello@saniservice.com.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on March 23, 2026 6:13 am