Who is responsible for black mold in my Dubai apartment?« Back to Previous Page

Based on UAE rental law, specifically Law No. (26) of 2007 and its amendments, the responsibility for structural repairs and issues arising from the building's core infrastructure falls upon the landlord. The black mold spreading from your bedroom ceiling in Jumeirah is highly indicative of a water intrusion issue, likely from the leak you suspect in the unit above. This is considered a structural defect, and therefore, the legal obligation for investigation and remediation lies with your property owner or landlord.

Your responsibility as a tenant is typically limited to issues arising from daily use, negligence, or failure to maintain proper ventilation. However, given the location on the ceiling and its correlation with recent heavy rains, this points directly to a building envelope failure. The humid Dubai climate exacerbates any moisture intrusion, causing rapid mold proliferation that standard AC operation cannot control.

Your immediate action should be to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing, detailing the issue and including clear photographs. They are obligated to address the source of the leak to prevent further damage. For a definitive assessment, a professional mold inspection is critical. Our certified teams at Saniservice use moisture meters, thermal imaging cameras, and air/o-surface sampling to pinpoint the exact moisture source and identify the mold species, which is essential for planning an effective remediation strategy.

Do not attempt to clean this yourself, as disturbing it can aerosolize harmful spores. We strongly recommend you contact us for a comprehensive assessment. Please call 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com to schedule an inspection. We can provide a detailed report for your landlord, outlining the cause and the necessary scope of work to resolve the issue safely and permanently.