Is my landlord responsible for closet mold in JVC?« Back to Previous Page

Responsibility for mold remediation in Dubai rentals depends on the root cause. Your landlord is legally obligated to address structural issues causing the moisture, such as a leaking pipe, a crack in the external wall (which your description suggests), or faulty waterproofing. If the mold is due to tenant behavior like severely blocking airflow or failing to use the AC, that cost may fall to you.

Given the mold is on an exterior wall and worsened with humidity, this strongly indicates an infiltration or condensation issue from a building envelope defect, which is the landlord's responsibility to rectify. Document the growth thoroughly with date-stamped photos and formally notify your landlord in writing, citing the defect. They should arrange for a professional inspection to diagnose the moisture source.

For a case like this, a simple surface clean is insufficient; the leak must be fixed first. The Dubai climate, with its high humidity and constant AC use, creates perfect conditions for mold on cold surfaces and in poorly ventilated areas like closets. Until the root cause is fixed, the mold will return. A proper remediation involves stopping the moisture, removing contaminated materials like drywall if necessary, and cleaning with appropriate antimicrobial agents.

If the landlord is unresponsive, you can escalate the matter to the Rental Dispute Center (RDC) in Dubai. For your health, consider a professional indoor environmental assessment to identify the mold species and the exact moisture source, which provides concrete evidence for any disputes.