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

Excellent question, and a very common point of confusion for tenants here in Dubai. The short answer is that the responsibility for mold testing and remediation is typically determined by the source of the moisture causing the mold.

In your specific case, the mold in your closet on an external wall, combined with the extreme humidity we're experiencing, strongly suggests a building envelope or AC issue. Here’s the breakdown under UAE tenancy law:

Landlord's Responsibility: The landlord is legally obligated to provide a habitable property and maintain the structural integrity of the building. This includes fixing leaks from external walls, roofs, or faulty window seals, and ensuring the central AC system (if provided) is functioning correctly and not producing excess moisture. Since the mold is on an exterior wall, the root cause is likely a minor infiltration or a condensation issue related to the building's structure or insulation, which falls to the landlord to investigate and rectify.

Tenant's Responsibility: As a tenant, you are responsible for maintaining proper ventilation within the apartment. This means regularly running the AC to control humidity, using exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens, and not creating excessive moisture (e.g., drying clothes indoors without ventilation). If the mold were solely due to a lack of AC use or poor indoor habits, the cost could fall to you.

However, given that you've been running the AC non-stop, your obligation is likely being met.

Actionable Advice: You must formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing about the issue immediately. They should arrange for a professional inspection to identify the moisture source. DIY tests are unreliable. A certified inspector will use tools like thermal cameras and moisture meters to pinpoint the cause and provide a definitive report on liability.

For a proper, certified mold inspection and detailed report that holds up with landlords, you can call our specialists at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com. We can identify the source and provide the documentation needed to resolve the responsibility question.