Is my Dubai landlord responsible for mold cleanup?« Back to Previous Page
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Our family has been in this Jumeirah Village Circle apartment for over a year, but just this week I pulled out the wardrobe in the master bedroom and found a huge patch of black mold spreading on the wall behind it. The AC unit is on that same wall and I think condensation might be the cause. Is my landlord legally required to handle this and pay for the cleanup, or is this considered our fault for not moving the furniture to ventilate?
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Your landlord is generally responsible for remedying the mold if it stems from a structural or maintenance issue, such as a leaking pipe, faulty AC drainage, or inadequate insulation causing condensation. In Dubai's climate, where high humidity and constant AC use create ideal conditions for mold, condensation from an AC unit is a frequent culprit and is typically the landlord's responsibility to rectify.
For a hidden issue like this, your obligation to "ventilate" by moving furniture is not reasonably expected. The key is establishing the root cause. Document the mold with photos and notify your landlord in writing immediately. They should arrange for a professional inspection to diagnose the source of the moisture. If the landlord is unresponsive, you can reference the Dubai Rental Law, which implies a landlord's duty to maintain the property in a habitable condition. For serious, health-impacting infestations, you may need to escalate a case to the Rental Dispute Center (RDC). However, start with a formal request for a professional assessment, as the evidence from that inspection will determine liability for the cleanup costs. |
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