Landlord responsible for recurring shower mold in rental?« Back to Previous Page

This is a very common issue in older Deira buildings, exacerbated by Dubai's high humidity and inadequate ventilation. The black discoloration in your grout is almost certainly a recurring mold colony, likely Aspergillus or Cladosporium, which are prevalent here. Bleach is a common but ineffective remedy; it only bleaches the surface pigment and does not address the hyphae (root system) penetrating the porous grout.

Under UAE rental law, specifically Law No. (26) of 2007, the landlord is responsible for maintaining the property's structural integrity and ensuring it is habitable. A persistent mold issue caused by a building-wide lack of adequate ventilation or underlying moisture intrusion (e.g., from a leaking pipe behind the wall) typically falls under their purview. However, if the moisture is solely due to shower usage, the tenant is often responsible for daily cleaning and operating provided ventilation systems. The key is determining the root cause.

Given the recurring nature, a professional inspection is strongly advised. Our certified inspectors use moisture meters and borescopes to identify if the moisture source is superficial (condensation) or structural (a leak). This evidence is crucial for any discussion with your landlord.

For a definitive assessment and remediation plan, I recommend contacting our team at Saniservice. We provide detailed inspection reports that can be used to formally request landlord action under Dubai's rental regulations. Call us at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com.