Who handles black mold: landlord or building management?« Back to Previous Page

The responsibility typically falls on your landlord, as mold inside your apartment is an internal maintenance issue affecting the tenant's health and the unit's condition. The building management is generally responsible for the building's common areas and external structure.

Notify your landlord in writing immediately, detailing the issue and including photos of the mold behind the sofa and its proximity to the AC condensation drip. Under Dubai rental law, landlords are obligated to provide a habitable property, and a significant mold issue caused by a maintenance problem like an AC leak qualifies. If the leak originates from the AC unit itself, which is part of the property, it is their responsibility to repair it and remediate the resulting damage.

For your children's health, the fastest way to get this sorted is to formally request that your landlord arranges for a professional mold inspection. This will identify the species and source. In many Marina apartments, this is due to high humidity and AC condensation against exterior walls. Proper remediation involves fixing the water source, removing the contaminated materials like the sofa, and cleaning the area with specialized protocols to prevent spores from spreading.

While you wait for a response, improve ventilation in the room by running an exhaust fan or opening windows when possible and moving any other furniture away from the damp wall. Do not attempt to clean significant black mold yourself, as improper methods can aerosolize the spores and worsen the air quality. A certified inspector can provide a report that documents the health risk, which strengthens your case with the landlord.