Is mold removal the tenant or landlord's responsibility?« Back to Previous Page

In the UAE, the responsibility for mold remediation is typically defined by the tenancy contract and Law No. 26 of 2007, known as the Dubai Rental Law. The landlord is generally responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property. This includes addressing the root cause of the mold, which in your case is the damp wall. The persistent dampness indicates a potential building envelope issue, such as a leaking pipe within the wall, faulty waterproofing, or thermal bridging leading to condensation, all of which are structural and fall under the landlord's obligation to repair.

However, as the tenant, you are responsible for informing the landlord of the issue promptly and for maintaining adequate ventilation to prevent moisture accumulation. The extreme humidity in Dubai, combined with year-round AC use, creates significant condensation risks if ventilation is not managed. Placing large furniture like a wooden wardrobe directly against an exterior wall severely restricts airflow, creating a microclimate perfect for mold growth like the Stachybotrys chartarum (black mold) you’ve described. This specific type of mold, especially given the health symptoms you mentioned, requires immediate professional attention.

Your first step is to formally notify your landlord in writing about the damp wall and the extensive microbial growth. We strongly recommend you do not attempt to clean this yourself, as improper disturbance can aerosolize toxic spores and exacerbate your children's respiratory issues. A certified mold inspection is crucial to identify the exact moisture source, assess the contamination level, and provide a remediation protocol. For immediate professional assessment and to ensure the health of your family, we advise you to contact our specialists at Saniservice. Call 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com to schedule a comprehensive inspection and humidity assessment.