Is my landlord responsible for shower mold in my apartment?« Back to Previous Page

Black shower mold is common in Dubai's humid climate, even with fan use, as JLT bathrooms often have poor ventilation that recirculates moist air. Your landlord is typically responsible for fixing the underlying cause, like a faulty exhaust fan or water leakage, as per Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007) which mandates landlords provide habitable premises.

For surface mold on grout and a small ceiling patch, you can clean it yourself. Skip bleach—it only bleaches the color and doesn't kill the roots. Use undiluted white vinegar, spray it on, let it sit for an hour, then scrub. For persistent grout, a paste of baking soda and water works well.

However, if the mold returns quickly or the patch is larger than a square foot, the root cause is likely unresolved. A malfunctioning exhaust fan that doesn't vent properly is a landlord responsibility. Document the issue and request in writing that they inspect and repair the ventilation system. If they are unresponsive, you can file a complaint with the Rental Dispute Center (RDC) in Dubai.

For confirmation, a professional inspection can identify if the mold is surface-level or has penetrated behind tiles, which would require landlord intervention for proper remediation.