Tenant or landlord responsible for black mold and AC repair?« Back to Previous Page

Tenant responsibility typically depends on the source of the moisture. Since the AC unit has been dripping, the leak is likely the root cause, making it a maintenance issue for the property owner or building management to rectify.

Your first step is to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing, with photos of both the mold and the dripping AC unit. Under typical Dubai rental laws, structural issues and essential maintenance like AC repairs are the landlord's responsibility, especially if the AC is provided as part of the furnished unit. The persistent high humidity in JVC exacerbates these condensation issues, but the initial failure of the appliance or its drainage is not the tenant's fault.

Do not attempt to remove the mold yourself, as improper cleaning can aerosolize spores and spread the problem. A professional inspection is needed to assess the full extent behind the wall and to confirm the AC is the sole moisture source. The remediation process involves fixing the AC leak first, then properly containing and removing the contaminated wall section to prevent recurrence.

For verification, you can request that the landlord uses a company that provides before-and-after testing to confirm the space has been returned to a healthy state. Keep records of all communication, as this is crucial if any dispute arises.