Who is responsible for black mold, tenant or landlord?« Back to Previous Page

We've lived in our Discovery Gardens apartment for 2 years and just noticed a big patch of black mold in the corner of our bedroom closet. It must have been growing slowly behind the clothes. With all the humidity lately, it seems to have gotten much worse. Who is responsible for dealing with this, me as the tenant or my landlord, and should I ask them to pay for an inspection?
Posted by Brittany Moore
Asked on March 27, 2026 11:21 pm
In the UAE, specifically Dubai, the responsibility for black mold remediation in a rental property is typically determined by the cause of the moisture. According to standard tenancy contract terms and the Dubai Rental Law, the landlord is responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property. This includes addressing issues like leaking pipes, faulty AC drainage, or cracks in the building envelope that allow water ingress, which are common culprits for mold growth in our humid climate.

However, tenant responsibilities include maintaining adequate ventilation to mitigate the high ambient humidity. Chronic condensation from failing to run AC systems consistently or overcrowding closets without airflow can be seen as tenant-induced moisture. In your case at Discovery Gardens, the location (a closet corner) suggests a potential combination of factors: lack of air circulation and a possible hidden leak or cold bridge condensation from the external wall.

Given the visible patch, a professional inspection is critical. DIY assessments are insufficient as they miss the root cause and hidden growth within wall cavities. Our certified inspectors use thermal imaging and moisture meters to accurately diagnose the source. We provide a detailed report that definitively establishes liability, which you can present to your landlord.

I strongly recommend you request your landlord to arrange and pay for a professional mold inspection. For a definitive assessment and to resolve this issue correctly, contact our specialists at Saniservice. Call 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com to schedule a comprehensive evaluation.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on March 29, 2026 8:15 am