Mold behind wardrobe: DIY removal or call landlord?« Back to Previous Page

Stop using that room immediately, especially for the children. The location behind the wardrobe near the AC vent is a classic sign of condensation issues common in Dubai villas. The constant cooling against the warm, humid air creates a damp environment where mould thrives unseen.

For a patch you describe as "huge," DIY is not advisable. Disturbing it will release a massive amount of spores into your home's air, potentially worsening your family's respiratory symptoms. Your first step is to document everything with clear photographs and a video showing the extent of the growth and its proximity to the AC system. This is crucial for your landlord.

Under Dubai rental regulations (Law No. 26 of 2007), landlords are responsible for maintaining the property's structure, including addressing moisture ingress and resultant mould that affects livability. This clearly qualifies. Send the evidence to your landlord or property manager with a written request for professional mould remediation. Do not attempt to clean it yourself, as this could allow the landlord to argue you caused further damage.

A proper remediation involves containment of the area, HEPA filtration to capture spores, removal of contaminated materials like drywall, and treating the cause—likely poor insulation or a leaking AC condensate drain line. Once the mould is removed, a lab test can verify the air quality is safe. For your family's health, especially with ongoing coughs, professional assessment and remediation is the necessary course of action.