Urgent to fix landlord's black mold in shower?« Back to Previous Page

Yes, this is urgent. The black mold under the silicone sealant is a clear sign of a moisture problem, and Dubai's high humidity allows it to spread quickly into the wall cavity behind the tiles.

Notify your landlord in writing immediately, including photos. Under Dubai rental law (RERA), landlords are responsible for maintaining the property's structural integrity and addressing issues that affect livability, which includes hidden moisture damage and mold. They are obligated to fix this.

Do not attempt to remove it yourself. Disturbing it without proper containment will release a large number of spores into your apartment, potentially affecting other rooms. A professional assessment is needed to determine the extent of the moisture damage behind the tiles. They will use moisture meters and, if necessary, borescope cameras to see inside the wall. Remediation involves removing the contaminated sealant and tiles, addressing the source of moisture (often a failed waterproofing membrane), drying the structure completely, and then rebuilding. This is not a surface-level cleaning task.

The musty smell confirms active microbial growth. Until it's addressed, ensure your bathroom's extractor fan is running during and for at least 30 minutes after showers and keep the bathroom door closed to contain spores.