Urgent: Black mold found, landlord or professional now?« Back to Previous Page

Ground-floor apartments in Jumeirah are highly susceptible to moisture intrusion from dew and high humidity, which can lead to the mold growth you've discovered. This situation requires prompt professional assessment.

You should notify your landlord in writing immediately, as they are typically responsible for addressing structural moisture issues under Dubai rental law. However, given the health symptoms (coughing in children), do not wait for them to act before getting a professional opinion. The porous nature of carpet and backing means spores have likely spread; cleaning the visible spots alone is insufficient.

A proper inspection will identify the moisture source—often condensation from AC ducts, a leaking pipe, or capillary rise from the slab—and the extent of hidden growth. In Dubai's climate, the AC system itself may be circulating spores. A certified inspector can use moisture meters and thermal imaging to find the full scope and take air and surface samples for lab analysis to identify the mold type, which dictates the removal protocol.

For a case like this with occupants experiencing symptoms, remediation should be considered urgent. The process involves isolating the area, removing contaminated porous materials like the carpet and possibly drywall, HEPA vacuuming, and antimicrobial treatment. Simply painting over it or using bleach is ineffective and can aggravate the problem.

Request that your landlord hires a company that provides verifiable before-and-after lab results to confirm the spore count has been returned to safe levels. Keep records of all communications with your landlord regarding the moisture and mold issue.