is landlord responsible for mold after rain in Dubai?« Back to Previous Page
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Our apartment in Jumeirah has been super humid since the last major rainstorm a few weeks back. I just pulled our sofa away from the wall in the living room and found a pretty large patch of black, fuzzy mold spreading from the corner near the sliding door. We’ve been renting this villa for three years without any issues until now. Is the landlord responsible for the mold remediation, or is this on me to clean and fix?
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The responsibility for mold remediation after rain in Dubai typically depends on the source of the moisture. Under UAE rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), landlords are responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property. If the mold resulted from a structural defect like a leaking roof, faulty window seal, or poor waterproofing that allowed rainwater ingress, the landlord is legally obligated to address the root cause and the resulting damage.
However, if the mold is due to tenant-related factors—like failing to use the AC adequately to control indoor humidity, not ventilating the property properly, or not reporting a minor leak promptly—the responsibility for cleanup may fall to you. The extreme humidity following Dubai rainstorms creates a perfect environment for mold, especially behind furniture against cold exterior walls where condensation forms. Your first step is to inform the landlord or property management company in writing immediately, with photos. They should arrange a professional inspection to determine the moisture source. Do not attempt to clean significant black mold yourself, as improper handling can spread spores. A professional assessment is crucial to identify the species and the extent of the problem, which dictates the correct remediation method. For a patch spreading from a door, a compromised seal is a likely structural cause, which strongly points to landlord responsibility. |
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