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

Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), the landlord is typically responsible for repairs related to the structural integrity of the property and the maintenance of its core systems, including plumbing. A leak inside the wall is a structural issue, so the associated water damage and resulting mold growth fall under their obligation to provide a habitable premises.

You should formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing immediately. Include clear photographs of the mold and a description of the persistent dampness. They are responsible for investigating the source of the leak, repairing it, and subsequently remediating the mold. The constant AC use in our humid climate often masks deeper leaks by drying surfaces intermittently, but the underlying moisture problem remains and will continue to fuel mold growth until the leak is fixed.

Do not attempt to remove the mold yourself, as disturbing it can release spores. For a case of this suspected magnitude, a professional inspection is crucial to confirm the leak's origin and the full extent of the mold, which often spreads inside wall cavities. The remediation process must address the moisture source first, then contain the area during removal to prevent cross-contamination. A landlord may hire a general handyman for the leak repair, but a science-driven mold assessment with before-and-after testing provides verifiable proof that the hidden root cause and contamination have been fully resolved.