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

Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), the landlord is generally responsible for the property's structural integrity and addressing issues arising from inherent building defects or faulty installations. Mold on an outside wall often points to a moisture intrusion problem, such as a leaking pipe within the wall, faulty external waterproofing, or a crack in the building envelope—all of which are typically the landlord's responsibility to repair.

Your first step is to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing, with clear photos of the mold and its location. They are obligated to address the source of the moisture. However, the removal of the mold growth itself can sometimes become a point of contention. While the landlord must fix the cause, the cleanup may fall to the tenant if the issue was exacerbated by tenant behavior (like lack of ventilation). Given its location on an outside wall, the argument is stronger that this is a structural issue.

Given the climate, with high humidity and constant AC use leading to condensation, mold can recur if the root cause isn't fixed. Do not attempt to remove it yourself with bleach, as this will only temporarily remove the visible stain and not the underlying spores. A professional inspection can identify the exact moisture source and mold type, which provides documented evidence for your landlord. For health safety during the process, contain the area and ensure good ventilation until it is properly remediated.