Who is responsible for black mold in a rental apartment?« Back to Previous Page

Based on the UAE Civil Code and standard tenancy contract provisions, responsibility for mold in a rental property is typically determined by the source of the moisture.

As a tenant, you are generally responsible for maintaining the property through adequate ventilation, especially in high-humidity climates like Dubai. This includes using bathroom exhaust fans during and after showers, running AC units to manage humidity, and not blocking airflow in closets. If the mold is a direct result of tenant negligence in these areas, the cost of cleaning personal items and surface remediation could fall to you.

However, the landlord is unequivocally responsible for addressing the underlying cause if the moisture originates from a structural or maintenance issue. In your Jumeirah apartment, the fact that the mold is on a wall shared with the bathroom is a major red flag. The most likely culprits are a hidden plumbing leak from pipes in the wall or a failure in the waterproofing membrane behind the bathroom tiles. Both are structural defects and fall under the landlord's obligation to maintain the property in a habitable condition.

Given the description of a "large patch" that is worsening, a professional inspection is absolutely critical. We need to identify the exact moisture source through thermal imaging and moisture meters. Attempting to clean it without fixing the leak is a temporary fix at best.

For a definitive assessment and to protect your interests, I strongly recommend you contact us for a comprehensive inspection. We can provide an official report detailing the cause, which is essential for discussions with your landlord.

Call 800-MOLDS or email hello@saniservice.com to schedule an inspection.