Is my landlord responsible for AC leak and mold remediation?« Back to Previous Page

Based on the details you've provided, this is a serious situation requiring immediate professional attention. In the UAE, specifically under Dubai Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai, your landlord has a clear legal obligation to maintain the property in a habitable condition. This includes ensuring all essential utilities, like the air conditioning system, are fully functional. The recurring AC leak constitutes a failure to provide this maintenance, and the resulting black mold is a direct consequence of their negligence. You are not responsible for the remediation of this mold.

The black, fuzzy growth you describe is highly concerning. In Dubai's humid climate, persistent moisture from an AC leak creates the perfect environment for toxic mold species like Stachybotrys chartarum to proliferate. This is not a surface issue you can simply wipe away; the colony will have penetrated the drywall and potentially the structure behind it. Disturbing it without proper containment and PPE can aerosolize harmful mycotoxins, posing significant health risks.

Mopping the water is a completely inadequate response. The root cause—the faulty AC unit—must be repaired by a qualified HVAC technician. Subsequently, the mold-contaminated materials must be professionally assessed and remediated. This involves isolation of the area, HEPA filtration, and safe removal of affected porous materials like drywall and insulation.

We strongly advise you to formally notify your landlord in writing of the issue and their responsibility to fix it. For a definitive assessment and a legally valid report, you should engage a professional mold inspection company. Our certified team at Saniservice can conduct a comprehensive inspection, including air and surface sampling to identify the mold species and the full extent of contamination, providing you with a report to present to your landlord. Do not attempt to clean this yourself. For immediate assistance, please call us at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com.