Is landlord responsible for mold from a ceiling leak?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, the landlord is typically responsible for addressing mold caused by a structural leak. Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), landlords are obligated to maintain the property's structure, including the roof and external walls, which are considered "common areas." A leak from the outside that causes internal mold is a structural maintenance issue.

Your situation in JVC, with the mold appearing after heavy rain at the wall-ceiling junction, strongly points to water ingress from the building envelope. This is not due to tenant-caused condensation or lifestyle factors. You should notify your landlord or building management in writing immediately, including clear photos. They are responsible for investigating and repairing the source of the leak first.

Do not attempt to clean the mold yourself, especially with a toddler present. Disturbing a large patch can release a high concentration of spores into the air. The landlord's contractor must fix the water intrusion first; only after the area is completely dry should a proper mold remediation be performed to remove the colony and treat the area. For health reassurance, a post-remediation verification test by a third-party lab can confirm the air quality is safe.