Who is responsible for damp wall and mold, tenant or landlord?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai tenancy law, responsibility hinges on the source of the moisture. Structural issues like a leaking pipe in the wall, a cracked external facade, or faulty waterproofing from an adjacent bathroom are unequivocally the landlord's responsibility to repair.

However, condensation from daily activities (like showering without proper ventilation) or from AC units set at very low temperatures creating a significant temperature differential can be considered the tenant's responsibility. The recent heavy rains strongly suggest a potential structural ingress point, which shifts the burden of proof toward the landlord.

Your first step is to formally notify the landlord in writing (email is best) with clear photos of the damp wall and mold, mentioning it began after the rains. Request a professional inspection to determine the exact cause. Do not attempt to clean it yourself, as disturbing it can spread spores and remove evidence.

A proper inspection involves a moisture meter reading to confirm the dampness level and often a borescope to look inside the wall cavity for leaks. In many cases here, the culprit is a tiny crack in the building envelope exacerbated by wind-driven rain. The landlord is typically obligated to address this to prevent further property damage. For the mold remediation itself, the responsible party for the moisture source is also responsible for the safe removal of the resulting growth.