Mold from AC leak causing my husband's cough?« Back to Previous Page

The AC in our bedroom has been leaking a bit for the last couple of months, and now we’ve found patches of black and green mold on the back of the wardrobe that sits against the wall. My husband has had a constant stuffy nose and a cough that won’t go away since it started. Is this mold the likely cause of his symptoms, and what’s the safest way to clean it ourselves before we get the landlord involved?
Posted by Arun Chopra
Asked on April 18, 2026 9:20 pm
Yes, the mold growth from your AC leak is very likely contributing to your husband's persistent cough and congestion. The constant moisture from the drip creates an ideal environment for mold, and the spores become airborne, irritating the respiratory system. In Dubai's humid climate, such leaks can lead to rapid mold colonization within days.

For your safety, do not attempt to clean this yourself. Disturbing the patches on the wardrobe will aerosolize a high concentration of spores, potentially worsening his symptoms and spreading the contamination. The leak itself must be repaired at the source by an HVAC technician to prevent immediate regrowth.

Your landlord is legally obligated under Dubai rental laws to address maintenance issues like AC leaks that cause property damage and health hazards. Document the leak and mold with photos and send a written notification to them requesting immediate repair and professional mold remediation.

The safest approach is a professional inspection. They can assess the full extent of the growth, which may have spread inside the wall cavity behind the wardrobe. Proper remediation involves containment, HEPA filtration, and antimicrobial treatment to ensure it is resolved completely, not just wiped away.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 20, 2026 6:37 pm