Who is responsible for AC leak and mold, landlord or building?« Back to Previous Page

Responsibility for the AC leak and resulting mold is typically shared, but the landlord has the primary obligation to provide a habitable property. The building management is responsible for fixing the structural leak in the AC system, which is often part of the common building infrastructure. The landlord is then responsible for addressing the resultant water damage and mold contamination inside your unit to make the property safe.

Under UAE rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), landlords must maintain the property in a condition fit for habitation. A persistent leak causing significant mold growth, especially one that is now affecting your wife's health, constitutes a breach of this obligation. You should formally notify your landlord in writing (email is best for a paper trail) of the health impact and request immediate action. State that the building management must repair the leak at its source, and the landlord must arrange for professional mold remediation and repairs to the internal wall and belongings. For a case of this severity, with visible growth and health symptoms, a professional inspection and remediation is strongly advised to ensure it is handled safely and completely, as improper cleaning can exacerbate spore dispersal.

If both parties continue to be unresponsive, you can file a complaint with the Rental Dispute Settlement Center in Dubai (RDC) for resolution.