Mold in AC causing illness: landlord or building's responsibility?« Back to Previous Page

That damp, earthy smell and visible black and green growth in your AC unit are very likely the source of your symptoms. This is a common issue in Dubai, where high humidity and constant AC use create ideal conditions for mold. The condensation inside units provides the moisture it needs to thrive. The fact that your headaches and congestion resolve when you leave the apartment strongly suggests an indoor environmental cause.

In multi-story buildings like those in Jumeirah Village Circle, responsibility is typically divided. The AC unit itself, including the internal cooling coil and the drainage pan where this mold often grows, is almost always the responsibility of the individual apartment owner or landlord to repair and clean. The building management is generally responsible for the central chiller plant, the main distribution lines, and the external condensate drainage system that serves the entire building.

Your first step is to formally notify your landlord in writing, detailing the issue and including clear photographs of the mold. Reference the symptoms it is causing. Under typical tenancy contracts, the landlord is obligated to provide a habitable premises, which includes a functioning and healthy air conditioning system. They should arrange for a professional HVAC and mold remediation specialist to conduct a thorough cleaning and disinfection of the entire internal unit and ductwork.

Given the visible growth and your physical reaction, a standard AC cleaning may not be sufficient. A professional inspection can assess the full extent of the contamination. If the problem persists after the landlord's intervention, the issue could lie with the building's central cooling system, and you would then need to escalate the matter to the building management with your landlord's support.