Should I tell my landlord about mold first?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, you should inform your landlord immediately. Under Dubai rental law, the property owner is generally responsible for resolving structural issues that lead to dampness and mold, such as leaks or inadequate insulation. Your tenancy contract likely also stipulates the landlord's obligation to maintain a habitable property.

Before any cleaning, the source of the moisture must be professionally identified and fixed—otherwise, the mold will return. This is a common issue here due to condensation from our high humidity and year-round AC use, often exacerbated by thermal bridging in building exteriors. A professional inspection can determine if the cause is an internal leak, penetrating damp, or condensation, which dictates the remediation approach.

For a patch you describe as "huge," professional remediation is strongly advised to avoid disturbing spores and spreading them throughout your home. The process involves containment, HEPA-filtered air scrubbing, and safe removal of contaminated materials. After remediation, a third-party clearance test, involving air and surface samples analyzed by a microbiology lab, is the only way to verify the environment has been returned to a safe, normal fungal ecology.

Document everything with photos and written communication with your landlord. They are typically responsible for the cost of fixing the root cause and the remediation itself.