Who handles black mold in rental: tenant or landlord?« Back to Previous Page

In Dubai rentals, the responsibility for black mold depends on the source of the moisture. If the mold is a result of a structural issue like a leak from the unit above, a cracked pipe in the wall, or faulty building sealing, it is almost always the landlord's responsibility to address both the leak and the resulting damage. Your husband's suspicion points directly to this.

However, if the moisture is due to tenant-specific activities (like inadequate ventilation during showers or drying clothes indoors) that lead to condensation, the tenant may be responsible for the cleaning. Given its location on the ceiling and the recent high humidity, a leak is the more probable cause.

Your first step is to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing, with clear photos. They are obligated to investigate and fix the source of the leak under Dubai's rental laws. Do not attempt to simply paint over or clean a large patch yourself, as this will not address the underlying water issue and it will return.

For health and documentation, a professional inspection is wise to confirm the mold type and the full extent of the moisture problem, especially since it's inside the ceiling. The intense humidity here accelerates mold growth behind walls. Once the leak is repaired by the landlord, proper remediation by a certified team is needed to prevent recurrence, as the structure itself needs to be dried and treated.