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

We've lived in our Jumeirah apartment for 2 years and just noticed a patch of black mold in the corner of our master bedroom closet, which shares a wall with the bathroom. It seems to have gotten worse since the humidity spiked last month. My wife has been waking up with a stuffy nose and headaches, which makes me worried it's affecting our health. Who is responsible for dealing with this and the potential health hazard, us as tenants or the building management?
Posted by Christopher Martin
Asked on March 30, 2026 8:45 pm
Based on Dubai's tenancy laws and the specific conditions you've described, the responsibility for addressing the black mold is typically a shared one, but the initial obligation to rectify the underlying cause falls on the building management or landlord.

The presence of mold on an interior wall corner adjacent to a bathroom strongly suggests a persistent moisture issue. The most probable causes are either a hidden plumbing leak within the wall or, more commonly in Dubai's climate, condensation due to thermal bridging. This occurs when the cold from your air conditioning unit penetrates the wall structure, meeting the warm, humid air from the bathroom, leading to constant dampness—a perfect environment for mold proliferation. The recent humidity spike would have drastically accelerated this growth.

Your wife's symptoms (stuffy nose, headaches) are classic indicators of exposure to mold spores and mycotoxins, confirming a potential health hazard that requires prompt action.

Your responsibility as the tenant is to report the issue in writing to the building management/landlord immediately. They are generally responsible for the structural integrity of the building, including fixing leaks and ensuring the building envelope is properly insulated to prevent condensation. However, the final remediation of the mold itself and any contents cleaning may fall to you, depending on your contract.

Due to the health implications and the technical complexity of diagnosing the moisture source, we strongly recommend a professional inspection. Our certified experts at Saniservice can conduct a comprehensive assessment using moisture meters and thermal imaging to pinpoint the exact cause—whether it's a leak or condensation—and provide a detailed report for your landlord. This evidence is crucial for ensuring the correct, permanent solution is implemented.

For immediate advice and to schedule an inspection, please call us at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 1, 2026 10:37 pm