who handles mold in a rented dubai apartment?« Back to Previous Page

Responsibility for mold in a rented Dubai apartment is typically defined by the cause, as outlined in standard tenancy contracts. The tenant is generally responsible for issues arising from daily living, like poor ventilation leading to condensation. The landlord or building management is responsible for structural defects, such as a leaking pipe inside the wall or faulty external waterproofing that allows moisture ingress.

Your situation in Jumeirah Village, with the wall behind a wardrobe worsening with humidity, points strongly to condensation. This is extremely common in Dubai due to the high humidity and year-round AC use. Placing large furniture against an exterior wall restricts airflow, creating a cold spot where moisture condenses and mold grows. This type of issue is often the tenant's responsibility to address and prevent.

However, you must first notify your landlord or property management company in writing. They have an obligation to investigate if there could be a hidden leak from plumbing or the building envelope. A professional inspection is the only way to rule that out. Your husband's stuffy nose is a clear indicator that the situation needs proper diagnosis, not just a surface clean.

Start by formally reporting the issue to the property manager, detailing the health symptoms. Request they send a technician to check for leaks. If they determine it's condensation, you'll likely need to arrange for cleaning and improve ventilation—moving the wardrobe away from the wall and ensuring the AC is set to a consistently low humidity level can help significantly. For verification of the mold type and to ensure the remediation was effective, a post-clean surface sample sent to a microbiology lab provides concrete evidence.