Is my Dubai landlord required to fix AC mold?« Back to Previous Page

Under the Dubai Rental Law (Law No. 26 of 2007), your landlord is responsible for all major maintenance related to the structure of the property and its core systems, which includes the central air conditioning unit. A leaking AC that is causing property damage and mold growth falls squarely under this obligation.

The key is to formally notify your landlord in writing (email is best for a paper trail) about the leak and the resulting mold. Clearly state that the moisture intrusion is causing a recurring mold issue that you are unable to resolve. Their responsibility is to repair the source of the leak—the AC unit. Simply cleaning the visible mold without fixing the water problem is ineffective, as you've experienced with the bleach.

For the mold itself, surface cleaning is often a tenant's duty, but a persistent infestation caused by a landlord's unresolved maintenance issue changes that. Given that the mold is behind furniture and returning worse, it likely indicates a more serious problem within the wall cavity. In Dubai's high humidity, hidden mold can spread rapidly. A professional inspection with moisture meters and possibly lab testing is needed to assess the full extent; this is something you can rightfully request given the circumstances.

If the landlord is unresponsive, you can file a formal complaint with the Rental Dispute Settlement Center in Dubai. Document everything: photos of the leak, the mold, and all your correspondence. While you wait for a resolution, improve ventilation in the room and consider using a dehumidifier to help manage the moisture levels temporarily.