Is landlord responsible for mold cleanup in Dubai villa?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), landlords are responsible for the property's structural integrity and maintenance of the main building systems. This includes fixing leaks in the roof, external walls, or plumbing that lead to moisture intrusion. Since the mold resulted from a leak and humidity, the landlord is typically obligated to address the source of the problem.

Your first step is to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing, with clear photos of the mold and the suspected leak source. They are required to investigate and fix the leak to prevent recurrence. For the cleanup itself, the responsibility can depend on the cause. If the mold growth is due to the building's structural issue (the leak), the cleanup cost should fall to the landlord. If it were caused by tenant behavior (e.g., lack of ventilation), it might fall to you. Given the description of a "huge patch" and its location, a structural leak is the likely culprit.

Due to the health symptoms and the size of the contamination, do not attempt a large-scale cleanup yourself. Disturbing it can aerosolize spores and worsen the coughing. The landlord should arrange for a professional inspection to identify the mold type and the full extent of the moisture problem. In villas, hidden condensation inside AC ducts or within wall cavities is common in our climate. The remediation process must include fixing the water source, properly removing the contaminated materials, and verifying with post-remediation testing that the space is safe. Keep records of all communication, as the Dubai Rental Dispute Center settles these matters if the landlord is unresponsive.