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

Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), the landlord is generally responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property. This includes addressing issues like water seepage, leaks, or faulty insulation that lead to dampness and mold growth on walls. Since the mold is on a structural wall and began after a period of high humidity, the source is likely a pre-existing issue the landlord must rectify.

Your first step is to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing, with clear photos of the affected area. They are obligated to investigate and fix the root cause, such as a leaking pipe or inadequate external waterproofing. They should also arrange for the safe remediation of the mold itself, as improper cleaning can aerosolize spores and worsen the problem.

However, tenant responsibilities include maintaining good ventilation to prevent condensation, which is a major contributor to mold in Dubai's climate. Running your AC consistently helps control humidity levels indoors. If the inspection finds the mold growth was significantly exacerbated by a lack of ventilation or tenant-caused water damage, you could be liable for the remediation costs.

For a case this advanced, with visible growth and a musty odour, a professional inspection is strongly advised to identify the exact moisture source and mold species. This provides concrete evidence for your landlord and ensures the remediation addresses the health risk properly. Do not attempt to clean large areas of black mold yourself with bleach, as this often fails to address the root moisture problem and can disturb toxic spores.