Landlord or me: fixing black mold near AC unit?« Back to Previous Page

The landlord is responsible for repairing the structural issue causing the moisture, which is almost certainly a leak or condensation from the AC unit. You are responsible for maintaining general cleanliness. In Dubai, this is a common issue due to the high humidity and constant AC use, which leads to condensation buildup if the unit's drain line is blocked or the insulation is faulty.

For a patch spreading from the AC unit, this is a repair issue, not a simple cleaning one. Using bleach is a temporary fix that will not address the water source, so the mold will return. The landlord must fix the leak, properly dry the area, and then remediate the mold.

You should formally notify your landlord or building management in writing, as they are obligated under Dubai rental laws to maintain the property's structure. For documentation, a professional inspection can identify the exact moisture source and extent of the problem, which is useful if the landlord is unresponsive. The constant high humidity here means hidden mold behind walls is a real possibility if a leak persists.

Once the leak is permanently fixed, then the mold remediation can be properly completed.