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

Based on the Dubai Rental Law (Law No. 26 of 2007), the landlord is unequivocally responsible for addressing structural issues, including hidden leaks that lead to dampness and mold growth. The key factor here is the source of the moisture. You've identified the wall itself is damp, which points directly to a concealed plumbing fault or a breach in the building envelope – both of which are structural defects and fall under the landlord's legal obligation to maintain the property in a habitable condition.

Your landlord's claim about inadequate ventilation is a common deflection tactic. While tenants are responsible for general upkeep and reasonable ventilation, this does not absolve the landlord from fixing the root cause: a water intrusion from within the structure. The persistent dampness you describe is not a result of daily living activities like showering; it's a building defect.

Given your son's asthma has been severely aggravated, this is a serious health and safety issue. Mold, especially the black variety often associated with water damage, is a potent asthma trigger. You must act promptly.

I strongly recommend you do two things immediately:

1. Document everything with clear, time-stamped photos and videos of the mold and the damp wall. Send a formal written notice to your landlord (via email for a paper trail) demanding immediate remediation of the leak and the mold, citing your son's health.

2. Engage a professional mold inspection company to conduct a thorough assessment. A certified report will scientifically identify the moisture source and the mold species, providing irrefutable evidence of the landlord's liability. This report is crucial if you need to escalate the matter to the Dubai Land Department (RDC).

For a situation this severe, especially with health impacts, professional remediation is non-negotiable. Don't attempt to handle this yourself, as improper cleanup can aerosolize spores and worsen the problem.

Call our team at 800-MOLDS for an immediate inspection and a detailed report to present to your landlord. We can help you resolve this correctly and safely.