Is my landlord responsible for black mold from unrepaired AC?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), your landlord is responsible for all major maintenance and repairs related to the structure of the apartment and its core systems, which includes the air conditioning unit. Since the AC leak is the source of the moisture causing the mold, the landlord is obligated to fix it. The recurring mold growth is a direct result of their failure to address the root cause.

You have already notified them, which is the crucial first step. Document everything: take clear, dated photos of the leak, the mold growth, and your previous communication. Send a formal written reminder, referencing your initial notice a month ago. Under the law, the landlord must undertake repairs within a reasonable timeframe. Persistent neglect can be grounds for filing a complaint with the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre in Dubai.

While the landlord handles the AC repair, managing the mold itself is a shared responsibility. Wiping visible mold is a temporary measure; the spores are embedded in the porous wall material. For a patch this size and due to the health risks from certain black molds, a professional inspection is strongly advised to assess penetration depth and species. They can determine if the drywall needs cutting out and replacement after the leak is fixed.

Until the repair is completed, run a dehumidifier in the closet space. Remove your clothes and wash them with a mould-killing additive to salvage them and prevent the musty odour from spreading. The combination of Dubai's high ambient humidity and cold surfaces from AC operation creates a perfect environment for mold, so eliminating the water source is the only permanent solution.