Is mold inspection in our apartment the landlord's responsibility?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007 (Regulating Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai), the landlord is responsible for maintaining the property's structure and ensuring it is habitable. This includes fixing issues like water leaks or seepage in external walls that lead to dampness and mold. The persistent dampness you describe in a Marina apartment, especially a structural wall, typically points to an underlying maintenance issue the landlord must address.

However, the tenant is responsible for reporting the issue in a timely manner and for any damage caused by their own negligence or failure to maintain adequate ventilation. Given Dubai's high humidity and constant AC use, condensation within closets is common and can be a tenant-maintained ventilation issue. Since this has been developing for months, your immediate step is to formally notify the landlord or property management company in writing with photos, as this establishes a record of timely reporting.

For a case with visible, spreading growth and persistent dampness, a professional inspection is highly recommended to identify the moisture source and mold type. The inspection report will be the key evidence to determine liability. If the inspector finds the cause is a leaky pipe or building envelope defect, the landlord is unequivocally responsible for the inspection, remediation, and repairs. If the cause is determined to be condensation from lack of air circulation, the responsibility may fall to you. Given the climate, the true cause is often a combination, and a professional assessment from a company that provides detailed lab analysis of the spores is the only way to resolve the responsibility question definitively.