Should I call landlord or get mold inspection myself?« Back to Previous Page

Notify your landlord immediately and request a professional mold inspection. Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), landlords are generally responsible for maintaining the property's structural integrity and habitability, which includes addressing hidden issues like mold that result from building envelope defects or pre-existing water damage.

Given the visible black spots and your children's symptoms, this is a health concern that warrants expert assessment. The recent humidity is a major factor; Dubai's climate causes condensation in AC-cooled homes, especially on cold exterior walls behind furniture. A proper inspection will identify the moisture source—often a small leak or thermal bridging—and determine the mold type. Many species here are allergenic and can cause respiratory irritation.

Do not attempt to clean it yourself. Disturbing it without containment will aerosolize spores throughout the house. Your landlord may send a general handyman, but for a proper diagnosis, the inspection should include a moisture meter reading and, if necessary, an air or tape-lift sample sent to a microbiology lab for identification. This documented evidence is crucial, as it confirms the scope of the problem and ensures the remediation plan is science-based, not just a surface wipe-down. If the landlord is unresponsive, you may need to arrange the inspection yourself to protect your family's health, but they should ultimately cover the cost if it's a property maintenance issue.