Is landlord responsible for mold treatment in Dubai rental?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), a landlord is generally responsible for the structural integrity of the property and for maintaining the building's main systems. This includes issues like leaking pipes in the walls or a faulty AC unit that causes condensation, which are common sources of the dampness that leads to mold.

However, the responsibility for mold treatment often depends on the root cause. The persistent damp feeling in your room, even with the AC on, is a classic symptom of high humidity overwhelming the system's capacity, a frequent issue in Dubai's climate. Since you first noticed it after a period of high humidity and it's located behind furniture (a known airflow dead zone), the cause is likely environmental condensation, not a structural leak.

Tenants are typically responsible for issues arising from daily living, like inadequate ventilation. Wiping it with vinegar is a temporary fix; the mold will return until the moisture source is controlled.

Your first step is to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing about the issue. They should arrange an inspection to determine the cause. If the AC unit is under-maintained, leaking, or undersized for the room, that is likely their responsibility to rectify. If the inspection finds the cause is solely due to lifestyle (e.g., lack of air circulation), you may be asked to cover the cost of surface cleaning and improving ventilation.

For a recurring patch that large, a professional inspection is recommended to identify the exact moisture source and species of mold. Remediation involves correcting the humidity issue, properly removing the contaminated materials, and treating the area with antimicrobial solutions, not just surface cleaning.