Is landlord responsible for mold due to sealed window?« Back to Previous Page

Our bedroom closet in our Jumeirah Village Triangle apartment has had this damp, earthy smell since the humidity really kicked in a couple of months ago. I finally pulled everything out yesterday and found a patch of black, fuzzy mold spreading on the back wall. My landlord is saying it's our fault for not ventilating properly, but the window in that room is always sealed shut. Who is legally responsible for the remediation costs here, the tenant or the landlord?
Posted by Ashley Johnson
Asked on April 19, 2026 5:35 am
The responsibility typically falls on the landlord for structural issues causing mold, which a sealed window likely is. Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), landlords must maintain the property's basic structure to ensure it is habitable. A non-opening window that prevents ventilation and leads to condensation is a structural defect.

Document everything. Take clear photos of the mold and the sealed window. Send a formal written notification to your landlord or property management company, referencing the specific issue. Humidity in JVT, especially during summer, will cause condensation on cold walls in poorly ventilated areas like closets, creating ideal mold conditions.

If the landlord refuses to address it, you can file a complaint with the Rental Dispute Center (RDC) in Dubai. For a case to be strong, a professional inspection report is highly advisable to confirm the moisture source is the structural lack of ventilation and not an internal tenant activity. This documented evidence from a third party is crucial for the RDC.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 21, 2026 2:26 pm