Is urgent AC leak mold fix a landlord's responsibility in Dubai?« Back to Previous Page
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The AC in my apartment in Jumeirah Village Circle has been leaking a little bit for the last couple of weeks, and now I’m seeing small black spots spreading on the wall behind the bedroom curtain. The humidity has been awful lately, and I’m worried it’s getting worse quickly.
How urgent is it to get this professionally treated here in Dubai, and is this something my landlord is legally required to fix immediately?
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Yes, this requires immediate professional assessment. The combination of a persistent AC leak and visible black mould growth in Dubai's high humidity is a significant indoor health concern that will worsen quickly. Mould spreads through microscopic spores, and the damp wall provides an ideal breeding ground.
Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), landlords are responsible for maintaining the property's structure and essential services, which includes the central AC system and the building envelope. A leaking AC unit that is causing property damage (stains, mould) falls squarely under their obligation to repair. You must notify them in writing immediately, detailing the issue and requesting urgent remediation to prevent further damage. For a situation with active growth, a professional inspection is critical. The visible spots are just the surface; the moisture likely penetrates deeper into the wall. A proper assessment involves moisture mapping to find the full extent of the water damage and air or surface sampling to identify the mould species, which determines the remediation protocol. In Dubai’s climate, simply wiping the spots away is insufficient—the source leak must be fixed and the affected materials properly treated or replaced to prevent rapid regrowth. |
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