Landlord or tenant responsible for mold inspection in Dubai?« Back to Previous Page

The responsibility for a mold inspection depends on the source of the problem. Since the issue stems from water leakage from the building's structure (likely from the recent heavy rains), this is typically the landlord's responsibility to investigate and rectify under Dubai rental law. The landlord is obligated to maintain the property's structural integrity and habitability.

Given the visible mold growth and your child's respiratory symptoms, a professional inspection is strongly advised. The humid Dubai climate, combined with residual moisture trapped in walls from the rains, creates an ideal environment for mold to thrive behind surfaces long after a leak appears dry. A proper inspection involves more than a visual check; it uses moisture meters and thermal imaging to find hidden dampness and air sampling to identify the mold type, which is crucial for understanding potential health risks and planning the correct remediation.

You should formally notify your landlord or building management in writing about the leak and mold, including photos. Request that they arrange and pay for a professional mold inspection to assess the full extent. If they are unresponsive, you can reference your rights as a tenant to a habitable property. For a child's health concern, proceeding with an inspection yourself might be necessary to get answers quickly; you can then discuss reimbursement with the landlord once the report identifying the cause is in hand.