Is my landlord responsible for ceiling mold under AC leak?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai's rental regulations, landlords are generally responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property and addressing issues arising from faulty installations, which includes an AC unit leaking into the ceiling. Since the leak has been ongoing for months and has caused visible mold growth, this is likely considered a maintenance issue for the property owner to resolve.

You should formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing immediately, including clear photos of both the leak and the black mold growth. This creates a necessary paper trail. The priority is to stop the moisture source—the AC leak must be repaired first. Simply cleaning the mold without fixing the leak will result in it returning quickly due to our high humidity.

For a case of visible spreading growth, a professional inspection is recommended to assess the extent, especially since it's in a bedroom. The mold could be confined to the surface, or it may have spread into the ceiling void. Remediation involves isolating the area, physically removing the contaminated materials, and HEPA vacuuming to clear spores, not just wiping it.

After the leak is fixed and the mold remediated, request that the landlord provides a water quality test report from the AC system to ensure the internal drain pan and lines are clear of microbial growth, preventing future issues. This is a common requirement for verifiable cleanup in Dubai. If the landlord is unresponsive, you can escalate the matter to the Rental Dispute Center (RDC) in Dubai.