Is landlord responsible for mold inspection behind wardrobe?« Back to Previous Page

In Dubai, the responsibility for mold inspection and remediation depends on the source of the moisture. The landlord is generally responsible for structural defects that cause water intrusion, such as a leaking pipe inside the wall, faulty external waterproofing, or a building envelope issue. However, tenants are typically responsible for issues stemming from their own lifestyle, like excessive indoor humidity from drying clothes inside or failing to use AC.

Given the mold is behind a large piece of furniture and worsened after a period of high humidity, the cause is likely condensation due to poor air circulation. In such cases, the responsibility can become a grey area. The first step is to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing, with photos, as this officially documents the issue. They are obligated to investigate the cause. For a significant patch and a toddler with persistent symptoms, a professional inspection is strongly advised to identify the mold type and moisture source.

A proper inspection involves a moisture meter reading of the wall and often an air quality test to gauge spore levels in the room, which is crucial with a child present. Dubai’s climate means AC must run consistently to manage humidity; a unit set too high or too low can both lead to condensation problems. Moving the wardrobe slightly away from the wall to improve airflow is a temporary measure you can take immediately while you correspond with the landlord. If the landlord refuses to act and you believe the cause is structural, you can escalate the matter to the Dubai Land Department's Rental Dispute Center (RDC).