Landlord responsible for closet mold and cleaning costs?« Back to Previous Page

In Dubai, the landlord is typically responsible for resolving the root cause of the mold, which is often a structural or maintenance issue leading to excess moisture. This includes fixing leaks in the building envelope, repairing faulty AC units that aren't dehumidifying properly, or addressing poor ventilation. The resulting mold remediation and cleaning costs for the apartment structure itself (walls, ceilings, built-in closets) should also be covered by the landlord.

You are generally responsible for the contents and belongings within the property, such as the cleaning or replacement of affected shoes and bags. The constant dampness in a closet despite AC use is a classic sign in Dubai of a possible underlying issue. It could be a hidden condensation leak from an AC pipe within the wall, inadequate insulation in that exterior corner (common in marina apartments), or that the AC unit is not effectively controlling humidity levels.

Your first step is to formally notify the landlord or property management company in writing, detailing the issue and including photos. They should arrange for a professional inspection to identify the moisture source. Simply cleaning the visible mold without fixing the cause is a temporary solution; it will return. For a case like this, a proper diagnosis is essential to determine responsibility and the correct repair path.