Is mold inspection a tenant or landlord responsibility?« Back to Previous Page

Based on the UAE Civil Code and common tenancy contract stipulations, the responsibility for mold inspection and remediation typically falls on the landlord. The landlord is legally obligated to provide a property that is habitable and free from structural defects that could affect health and safety. Persistent mold growth, especially of the nature you've described with black spots, often points to an underlying issue such as a hidden water leak, rising damp, or inadequate ventilation—all of which are structural maintenance concerns.

However, as a tenant, you have a responsibility to properly ventilate the property and report any issues promptly. The extreme humidity in Dubai, coupled with year-round AC use, creates significant condensation risks, particularly in enclosed spaces like closets on exterior walls. Your prompt reporting is crucial.

Given your discovery, this is a serious case requiring professional intervention. DIY assessments are insufficient as they miss hidden mold and the root cause. A certified inspector will conduct air and surface sampling to identify the spore types and concentration levels, perform a moisture mapping exercise to find the water source, and provide a detailed remediation protocol.

I strongly recommend you formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing about the issue and request a professional mold inspection. For a comprehensive assessment compliant with Dubai Municipality standards, you can contact our specialists at Saniservice. Call 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com to schedule an investigation. This will provide the documentation needed to ensure the landlord addresses the problem correctly and permanently.