Landlord responsible for AC mold in Jumeirah apartment?« Back to Previous Page

We've been in our Jumeirah Village Circle apartment for about a year, and lately, the AC in the master bedroom just isn't drying the air out properly. I pulled back the corner of the wardrobe that's against the external wall and found a patch of black mold about the size of my hand. I’ve been wiping it with vinegar, but it keeps coming back within a week. Is this something I should handle myself, or is my landlord responsible for fixing the root cause?
Posted by Daniel Wilson
Asked on March 13, 2026 5:02 pm
Based on your description, this is a classic case of condensation-induced mold growth, extremely common in Dubai's climate due to high humidity and year-round AC operation. The recurring mold indicates the root cause—excess moisture—has not been addressed.

The UAE Civil Code (Federal Law No. 5 of 1985) places a clear obligation on the landlord to maintain the property in a habitable condition, which includes addressing structural or mechanical issues that lead to health hazards like mold. Since the mold is a direct result of the AC unit's failure to properly dehumidify the air, this is a maintenance issue for the landlord to rectify. They are responsible for repairing or servicing the malfunctioning AC unit to restore its proper function and prevent further condensation on the cold external wall behind your wardrobe.

However, your action of wiping with vinegar is only a superficial fix. Vinegar does not kill all mold species and does not address the hidden spores or the moisture source. Disturbing the mold can also aerosolize spores, potentially worsening air quality.

For a definitive resolution, I strongly recommend a professional inspection. Our certified team at Saniservice can conduct a comprehensive assessment to identify the exact species of mold, the extent of the growth (which is often more widespread than visible), and the precise moisture source. We provide a detailed report that can be presented to your landlord to substantiate the required repairs. We can then execute a full remediation protocol to safely remove the contamination and apply preventative treatments.

For immediate assistance, please call us at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com to schedule an inspection.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on March 15, 2026 9:40 am