Who fixes AC leak and mold in rental apartment?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), the landlord is responsible for maintaining the structural elements of the property, which includes the fixed air conditioning system and the building envelope. Since the AC leak is the source of the moisture causing the mold on the wall, the repair and subsequent mold remediation are the landlord's obligation.

Notify your landlord in writing immediately, detailing the leak and the visible mold growth. It's crucial to do this before your contract renewal to document the pre-existing issue. For a case like this, a professional inspection is advised to assess the full extent of the mold behind the wardrobe and inside the wall cavity, which is common with long-term leaks in Dubai's humid climate.

While you wait for a response, you can improve ventilation in the room by running a standalone dehumidifier and keeping the area as dry as possible. Do not attempt to clean it with bleach yourself, as this can worsen airborne spores without addressing the root moisture problem.

If the landlord is unresponsive, you can file a complaint with the Rental Dispute Center (RDC) in Dubai. The remediation process should involve fixing the AC leak first, then a proper mold removal protocol by a qualified provider, followed by verification that the space has been returned to a healthy standard.