Is landlord responsible for mold inspection in Marina apartment?« Back to Previous Page

My kids have been coughing a lot lately and I'm worried it's from mold. I've just found a patch of black spots spreading behind the wardrobe in our master bedroom, which is right next to the AC vent. We've been in this Marina apartment for about a year and it's our first time dealing with this. Is the landlord responsible for arranging and paying for a proper mold inspection, or is that on me as the tenant?
Posted by Shweta Joshi
Asked on May 18, 2026 4:45 am
Under Dubai tenancy law, the landlord is typically responsible for maintaining the structural integrity and habitability of the property. This includes addressing the source of moisture that leads to mold growth, such as a leaking pipe or faulty AC drainage. However, the responsibility for identifying the problem often falls to the tenant.

Given the visible growth and your children's symptoms, a professional inspection is strongly recommended. The high humidity in Marina apartments, combined with year-round AC use, creates perfect conditions for mold behind furniture and near cold air vents. A proper inspection involves more than a visual check; it identifies the moisture source and assesses airborne spore levels throughout the unit to understand the full scope.

You should formally notify your landlord in writing about the mold patch and its proximity to the AC unit, as this may indicate a system or building envelope issue they must fix. While you may arrange the initial diagnostic to understand the risk, the landlord is generally obligated to remediate the underlying cause. For a science-backed assessment, seek a provider that uses lab analysis to identify mold species and provides a detailed report—this documented evidence is crucial for liaising with your landlord and ensuring the solution addresses the root cause, not just the visible spots.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on May 18, 2026 6:23 pm