Mold in Dubai closet: report to landlord or treat myself?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, report this to your landlord immediately. Under Dubai rental law (RERA), the landlord is generally responsible for fixing issues related to the building's structure, including water leaks and the resultant mould growth that can compromise health and property.

The black spots and damp smell in your interior wall closet are classic signs of a condensation issue, likely exacerbated by Dubai's high humidity and year-round AC use. The AC creates a significant temperature differential between the cool room and the warmer, poorly ventilated closet, causing moisture to condense—a perfect environment for mould. This is not just surface growth; it indicates a persistent moisture problem within the wall cavity.

For your safety, do not attempt to clean this yourself with bleach or other store-bought solutions. These only remove surface discolouration and can push spores deeper into the drywall. The underlying moisture source must be identified and resolved first.

Your formal report to the landlord should prompt them to send a professional to investigate. The inspection should locate the moisture source—it could be a small plumbing leak, inadequate insulation around an AC duct in the ceiling void, or simply severe condensation requiring improved ventilation. A proper remediation protocol involves isolating the area, removing affected porous materials like drywall or insulation, treating the cavity with antimicrobial solutions, and repairing the leak before restoring the wall.

Until it's resolved, keep the closet doors open to improve air circulation and consider using a desiccant dehumidifier bag inside to help manage moisture. Verifiable proof, like a lab report from an independent microbiology lab identifying the mould genus, can be necessary to demonstrate the severity to a reluctant landlord.