Landlord responsible for bathroom mold in Dubai rental?« Back to Previous Page

Our family bathroom in our rented Discovery Gardens apartment has started to get black mold spots in the corners of the ceiling and behind the toilet. It’s been getting worse over the last couple of months, especially with the humidity. Is this something I should handle myself, or is the landlord responsible for fixing this kind of issue in Dubai?
Posted by Majid Farah
Asked on April 10, 2026 8:26 am
In the UAE, the responsibility for mold remediation in a rental property is typically governed by the tenancy contract, with general principles outlined by the Dubai Land Department. Mold caused by structural issues, such as leaking pipes, faulty waterproofing, poor ventilation, or building envelope defects, is almost always the legal responsibility of the landlord to rectify. However, if the mold is a direct result of tenant negligence, such as a failure to use the bathroom's exhaust fan, not reporting a leak promptly, or improper cleaning, the cost may fall to the tenant.

In your case at Discovery Gardens, the persistent humidity is a significant contributing factor. The climate here, especially during summer months, creates immense condensation issues. Year-round AC use can cause cold surfaces like concrete ceilings to attract moisture from the warm, humid air, leading to the black mold spots you're seeing. This is a common problem and often points to an underlying ventilation or insulation issue.

Given the mold is on the ceiling and behind the toilet, a professional inspection is strongly recommended to determine the exact cause. DIY cleaning with bleach is a temporary fix that only addresses surface discoloration, not the root moisture problem. Spores can remain and regrow quickly. A certified inspector will conduct moisture mapping and air quality tests to identify the source and extent of the contamination, providing a definitive report on liability.

For a thorough assessment and to ensure your landlord addresses it correctly, contact our specialists at Saniservice. Call 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com. We can provide a detailed report to support your communication with the landlord and offer certified remediation services to solve the problem permanently.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 12, 2026 10:24 am