Landlord or tenant responsible for AC leak and mold?« Back to Previous Page

Based on the specifics you've described in JVC, this is a classic case of a maintenance issue leading to a secondary damage. Here's the breakdown under typical Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007).

The AC unit itself, as part of the property's essential systems, is the landlord's responsibility to maintain and repair. The persistent leak is the root cause. Therefore, the landlord is unequivocally responsible for fixing the AC leak, stopping the moisture source, and for the remediation of the resulting mold growth on the building structure (the wall behind the wardrobe). You must notify them in writing immediately.

However, the contents of the property—including your wardrobe and any clothing stored within it—are typically the tenant's responsibility. The cost of cleaning or replacing your affected personal belongings would generally fall to you, unless you can prove the landlord was aware of the leak and negligently failed to act in a reasonable timeframe after being notified.

Given the extent you describe ("a big patch"), a professional inspection is absolutely critical. We see this often with the high humidity. DIY cleaning is not advised for large infestations, as improper handling can aerosolize spores and spread the contamination. The underlying moisture issue MUST be resolved first, or the mold will simply return.

For a definitive assessment and a report that can be used with your landlord, I recommend calling our certified inspectors. We can identify the species and provide a formal protocol for safe remediation.

Call 800-MOLDS or 800-66537 to schedule an inspection, or email hello@saniservice.com with photos.