Is landlord responsible for mold behind bedroom wardrobe?« Back to Previous Page

Based on UAE tenancy law, specifically Law No. (26) of 2007, the landlord is generally responsible for the structural integrity and maintenance of the major building components of the property. This includes the walls, roof, and plumbing systems.

The key question is the source of the moisture. If the mold behind the wardrobe is a result of a pre-existing leak in the external wall, a faulty AC condensation drain line running inside the wall, or rising damp due to a lack of proper waterproofing, then the remediation and repair responsibility falls squarely on the landlord. The recent damp weather in Dubai has a way of exposing these latent construction defects.

However, if the moisture is determined to be from an internal source within your control—like condensation from not using the AC sufficiently in humid weather or placing wet items against the wall—you might be held responsible for the cleaning, but the landlord would still typically handle any necessary repairs to the wall itself.

Given that you've discovered a significant growth hidden behind furniture, this is not a simple surface wipe-down. Disturbing it can release a massive amount of spores. I strongly recommend you do NOT attempt to clean this yourself. The underlying cause must be professionally identified and rectified first.

Your immediate action should be to 1) Document the issue with clear photographs and videos, 2) Notify your landlord or property management company in writing immediately, and 3) Request a professional mold inspection. Our certified inspectors can perform a comprehensive assessment, including moisture mapping and air quality testing, to definitively identify the moisture source and provide a remediation protocol. This report is crucial for determining liability and ensuring the problem is fixed correctly.

For a professional assessment, you can call us at 800-MOLDS or email hello@saniservice.com.