Who is responsible for black mold from AC in Dubai?« Back to Previous Page

Based on Dubai's rental regulations and the specifics of your case, the responsibility for investigating and remedying the cause of this black mold almost certainly falls on your landlord.

The black speckled patches you describe are a classic sign of a fungal colony, likely Stachybotrys chartarum or Aspergillus niger, fueled by the persistent moisture from the AC leak. In Dubai's high-humidity climate, AC units are critical for controlling indoor moisture and preventing condensation. A leaking AC unit is a structural or mechanical failure of a provided appliance, and its resulting water damage is not due to tenant "usage" but to a failure in maintenance.

Under the Dubai Rental Law (Law No. 26 of 2007), landlords are legally obligated to maintain the property in a habitable condition and are responsible for all major maintenance and repairs related to the structure of the property and its core systems, which includes the central air conditioning system and building insulation. The tenant is typically only responsible for minor internal maintenance. A leaking AC causing wall damage and mold growth is a major issue.

Your first step is to formally notify your landlord in writing (email is best for a paper trail) of the issue, emphasizing it is a maintenance-related problem affecting habitability. Request immediate professional inspection and remediation. Do not attempt to clean significant mold growth yourself, as improper handling can aerosolize toxins and spread the contamination.

Given the potential health risks and structural damage, a professional assessment is crucial. We at Saniservice specialize in forensic mold inspections, including air and surface sampling to identify the species and concentration, and precise moisture mapping to locate the exact source of the water intrusion. This technical report is vital for definitively establishing the cause and required remediation, which we can also perform to Dubai Municipality standards. For immediate advice or to schedule an inspection, please call us at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com.