Mold behind wardrobe causing coughs in Dubai: who to call?« Back to Previous Page

Mold growth behind furniture in Dubai Marina is extremely common due to the high humidity and constant AC use creating condensation on cooler exterior walls. The damp feeling you describe confirms this microclimate. The coughing in children is a typical reaction to mold spore exposure, so your suspicion is valid.

For a rental apartment, your first call should always be to the building management or landlord. They are legally obligated under Dubai Municipality regulations to address issues of dampness and mold that originate from the building's structure, such as leaking pipes or insufficient external waterproofing. Report it in writing and request an immediate inspection to identify the moisture source.

If the building management is unresponsive, or if they fix the leak but the mold growth is extensive (covering more than a few square feet), you should then engage a professional mold inspection company. Look for a provider that offers independent testing with a certified microbiology lab to identify the species, as this determines the remediation protocol. Do not let anyone simply spray and wipe it; proper remediation involves isolating the area, removing contaminated materials, and using HEPA filtration to capture spores.

Until it's handled, keep the children out of the room, move the wardrobe away from the wall to allow air circulation, and ensure your AC unit is set to a consistently low humidity level.