Is landlord responsible for mold on my rental wall?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai rental law, the landlord is generally responsible for addressing structural issues and defects in the property that affect its habitability, which typically includes mold caused by a building fault. This responsibility is often outlined in the tenancy contract, but the Dubai Land Department's standard rental contract places maintenance of the property's core structure on the owner.

The key factor is the root cause. If the mold is due to a pre-existing building issue like a leaking pipe in the wall, faulty external waterproofing, or a construction defect that allows moisture ingress, your landlord must arrange and pay for the repairs and subsequent remediation. However, if the cause is determined to be tenant-related—such as insufficient ventilation, blocking AC vents with furniture, or failing to run the AC regularly in humid conditions—the responsibility for cleanup could fall to you.

Given your location in an older Deira building and the timing coinciding with high humidity, a building-related moisture source is plausible. Document the issue thoroughly with dated photos and notify your landlord in writing immediately. Request a professional inspection to identify the moisture source. A proper assessment will determine liability; without fixing the underlying water problem, the mold will simply return after cleaning. For health concerns, avoid disturbing the area and improve ventilation until it is resolved.