Is landlord responsible for ceiling mold near AC vent?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai rental law, landlords are generally responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property, which includes fixing leaks in the roof, external walls, or plumbing systems that cause moisture intrusion. Since the mold is near the AC vent and worsened with humidity, the source is likely either a condensate drain line blockage from the AC unit or a leak in the ductwork—both of which are considered part of the building's systems and fall under the landlord's maintenance obligations.

As a tenant, your responsibility is to report the issue in writing to the property manager or landlord immediately. This creates a formal record. Ventilate the room and wipe away any surface condensation regularly to help slow the spread, but do not attempt to clean the mold yourself. Disturbing it can release spores and identifying the source requires a professional inspection.

The high humidity here causes condensation that feeds mold if an AC unit isn't draining properly or is undersized for the space. A proper remediation involves a technician first diagnosing and fixing the water source—be it a clogged drain pan, broken insulation, or leaky coil—then safely removing the contaminated materials. Without addressing the root cause, it will return.

For a case that has spread visibly, a professional assessment is recommended to determine the extent and document the cause for your landlord. They can provide a report verifying if it's a system maintenance issue, which strengthens your request for them to rectify it.