Is mold removal my landlord's responsibility in Dubai?« Back to Previous Page
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The wall behind our wardrobe in the bedroom has started showing these black fuzzy patches, and it's been getting worse since the weather turned humid last month. We're renting a two-bedroom apartment in Jumeirah Village Circle and have been here for just over a year. I'm worried about my family's health, but I'm not sure if this is something I should fix myself or if it's the landlord's responsibility to handle and pay for the mold removal.
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Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), structural repairs and issues arising from the building's infrastructure are the landlord's responsibility. Mold caused by a leaking pipe inside the wall, faulty external waterproofing, or inadequate ventilation is typically their obligation to fix.
However, the cause must be determined. Mold from tenant activities, like insufficient AC use leading to condensation in a humid climate, can become a grey area. Document the issue with clear photos and immediately notify your landlord and property management in writing. They should arrange for a professional inspection to identify the moisture source—this is the critical first step, as simply wiping the mold away is ineffective if the underlying water issue remains. For a case like yours, where the mold is on a wall behind furniture and has progressed, a professional assessment is strongly advised. In JVC's high humidity, the wall could be a cold spot condensing moisture or have an internal leak. Remediation involves isolating the area, removing contaminated materials safely, and addressing the moisture source. Given the potential health implications, especially for respiratory conditions, this is not a DIY project. Proper remediation requires industry standards to prevent spores from spreading during cleanup. Your first action is to formally request the landlord investigates the structural cause. If they are unresponsive, you can file a complaint with the Dubai Land Department's Rental Dispute Center (RDC). |
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