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

We've lived in our Jumeirah Village Circle apartment for two years, and just last week I spotted a bunch of black mold growing along the bottom of the shower wall where the tiles meet the floor. The smell is getting really strong and I'm worried about our health, especially with my baby. Is this something I have to fix myself, or is my landlord responsible for handling and paying for the mold remediation?
Posted by Junho Inoue
Asked on April 7, 2026 8:38 am
In the UAE, particularly in high-humidity environments like Dubai, bathroom mold is an extremely common issue due to constant air conditioning, condensation, and inadequate ventilation. Regarding landlord responsibility, the answer is generally yes. Under Dubai's rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), landlords are obligated to maintain the property in a habitable condition and are responsible for repairs related to the structural integrity and essential services of the building. A persistent mold problem caused by inherent issues like faulty waterproofing, leaking pipes within the walls, or a defective exhaust fan system falls under this category. The black mold you describe along the shower base is a classic sign of a waterproofing failure, which is the landlord's responsibility to rectify.

However, you must formally notify them in writing of the issue and allow a reasonable timeframe for them to address it. For a health hazard of this nature, especially with an infant present, this should be treated with urgency. Do not attempt to remediate this yourself with bleach, as this will only remove surface discoloration and not the root cause or the underlying hyphae.

Given the strong odor and visible growth, this requires professional assessment. Our certified inspectors at Saniservice can conduct a thorough investigation to determine the exact moisture source and extent of contamination, providing a detailed report that you can present to your landlord. This evidence is crucial for delineating responsibility. For immediate consultation and to schedule an inspection, please call us at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 9, 2026 12:08 pm