Is my landlord required to fix mold in my villa?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, your landlord is generally required to address this mold issue, as it is a structural problem affecting the property's habitability.

Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), landlords are responsible for maintaining the villa's main structure, including walls, roofs, and any issues arising from inherent building defects or inadequate maintenance. Mold caused by water seepage, leaking pipes, or poor insulation falls under this category. The recent humidity has likely exacerbated a pre-existing moisture problem within the wall cavity behind the wardrobe.

You should formally notify your landlord in writing (email is best for documentation) about the problem, describing the black spots and mentioning your son's worsened allergies. Include clear photographs. Request that they arrange for a professional inspection to identify and rectify the source of the moisture, not just wipe the visible mold.

If the landlord is unresponsive, you can file a complaint with the Rental Disputes Center (RDC) in Dubai. They will typically require a technical report from a specialized inspector to determine the cause. For a case like this, involving potential health impacts and hidden structural moisture, a professional assessment is strongly advised. A proper inspection would involve moisture meters and, if necessary, air or surface sampling to identify the mold type, which is crucial for effective remediation. The goal is to fix the water source first, then safely remove the contaminated materials.