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

Based on UAE rental law, specifically Law No. (26) of 2007, the landlord is generally responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property. This includes addressing issues with the building envelope, such as external walls that are allowing water ingress, which is the root cause of your dampness and subsequent black mold growth.

The key factor is determining the source of the moisture. In your case, the mold is on a damp exterior wall, strongly suggesting a structural defect like a hidden leak, compromised waterproofing, or insufficient insulation, all of which are the landlord's responsibility to rectify. The high humidity levels in Dubai act as a catalyst, but the primary failure is the building's inability to prevent moisture penetration.

As a tenant, your responsibility is typically limited to reporting the issue in writing to the landlord or property management company in a timely manner and maintaining adequate ventilation within the property. However, attempting to clean significant black mold growth yourself is not advisable. Disturbing the mold can aerosolize harmful mycotoxins, posing a serious health risk, especially to children with respiratory symptoms like coughing.

We strongly recommend you immediately contact your landlord with your findings and request a professional mold inspection. A certified inspector can conduct air and surface sampling to identify the specific mold species and confirm the moisture source. For comprehensive testing and expert remediation that addresses the root cause, you can contact our specialists at Saniservice. Call 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com for an assessment. We can provide a detailed report that can be used to formally request remediation from your landlord, ensuring the issue is resolved safely and permanently.