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

We’ve lived in our Jumeirah Village Circle apartment for just over a year, and I’ve started spotting black mold growing in the grout between the tiles in our windowless bathroom. I run the exhaust fan during showers, but the humidity just doesn't go away. Who is responsible for fixing this – is it my job to clean it, or is my landlord required to handle the remediation since it's a ventilation issue?
Posted by Kavita Kapoor
Asked on March 25, 2026 2:49 am
In Dubai's rental market, the responsibility for mold remediation hinges on the source of the moisture, as stipulated in Law No. 26 of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai (as amended). In a windowless bathroom, the persistent humidity you describe is a classic symptom of inadequate ventilation, a fundamental building system. This typically falls under the landlord's obligation to maintain the property's structure and essential services in a habitable condition.

While tenants are responsible for general cleanliness, a recurring mold issue directly caused by a faulty or undersized exhaust fan is the landlord's responsibility to rectify. Merely cleaning the visible mold on the grout is a temporary solution; the underlying humidity problem must be addressed. The fan may be clogged, broken, or simply not powerful enough for the space—a common issue in our high-humidity climate where AC use creates significant condensation.

We strongly recommend a professional inspection. Our certified experts can conduct humidity mapping and airflow tests to definitively diagnose the ventilation efficacy and identify all mold colonies, including any potential hidden growth within wall cavities. This provides an objective, technical report that can be presented to your landlord to substantiate your claim for professional remediation.

For immediate advice and to schedule a diagnostic assessment, please call our experts at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com. Saniservice specializes in resolving such moisture issues in accordance with Dubai's specific environmental conditions.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on March 27, 2026 8:56 am