Mold in rental closet: landlord or tenant responsibility?« Back to Previous Page

In Dubai, the responsibility for mold remediation in a rental property typically falls on the landlord, as they are obligated to provide a habitable dwelling free from structural or maintenance issues that cause it. The recurring mold in your closet, especially after a humidity event, strongly suggests an underlying moisture source like a leaking pipe in the ceiling slab, poor insulation causing condensation, or a building envelope leak.

Your first step is to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing (email is best), detailing the issue and including clear photographs. Under the Dubai Rental Law, they are generally responsible for repairs related to the building's core structure and maintenance of central AC systems if applicable. However, if the moisture issue is determined to be solely due to tenant behavior (e.g., lack of ventilation, not using the AC), the responsibility could shift. Given that you've already attempted cleaning and it returned worse, this indicates a persistent problem beyond surface moisture.

Due to Dubai's high humidity and year-round AC use, condensation within wall cavities is a common, hidden culprit. A professional inspection is crucial to identify the exact moisture source. Do not attempt further DIY fixes, as improper cleaning can aggravate certain mold types. A proper remediation plan requires fixing the water intrusion first, then addressing the contamination. For verification, companies with in-house microbiology labs can provide documented evidence of the species and post-remediation clearance testing, which is useful for discussions with your landlord.