Who is responsible for black mold in my rental bathroom?« Back to Previous Page

Responsibility depends on whether the mold is due to tenant lifestyle or a building defect. In Dubai's humid climate, bathrooms without adequate ventilation are prone to condensation, which leads to mold. Landlords are responsible for providing a habitable property, which includes a functional ventilation system. If your exhaust fan is running but not effectively removing steam (you can test this by holding a tissue to see if it sticks), the issue may be inadequate airflow from the fan itself, a maintenance item for the owner.

Document your efforts: note that you consistently use the fan. If the mold is extensive or recurring despite this, the root cause is likely poor ventilation design, a leaking pipe behind the wall, or insufficient waterproofing – all structural landlord responsibilities. For a definitive assessment, a professional inspection can identify the moisture source. They can use a moisture meter to check for hidden leaks and assess the exhaust fan's actual extraction rate. Presenting this objective data to your landlord is the most effective way to clarify responsibility. In many cases, the initial cleaning may fall to you as a tenant, but the landlord should rectify the underlying defect to prevent regrowth.