Who handles AC leak and mold repair in JLT rental?« Back to Previous Page

Under the Dubai Rental Law (Law No. 26 of 2007), the landlord is typically responsible for all major maintenance and repairs related to the structure of the apartment and its core systems, including the air conditioning. An AC leak that has caused significant mold growth inside the property falls squarely under this obligation.

You should formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing immediately, detailing the issue and including clear photographs of the leak and mold. They are required to address the repair of the AC unit and the resulting water damage. For the mold remediation itself, the responsibility can be a grey area, but the source of the moisture (the faulty AC) is their clear responsibility to fix.

Given the extent of the hidden growth and your correlating health symptoms, do not attempt to handle this yourself. Disturbing the mold can release a large number of spores. The remediation process requires professional containment, HEPA filtration, and safe removal of contaminated materials like the carpet and underlay. In Dubai's high humidity, improper cleaning will lead to rapid regrowth.

A specialist should conduct an inspection to assess the full extent of the damage, often using a moisture meter to check walls and subflooring. They can also provide a documented report for your landlord, which is useful if there is any dispute. The remediation process must include fixing the AC leak first, then addressing the mold. Simply cleaning the visible spot is insufficient; the hidden moisture will cause it to return.