Who is responsible for fixing AC and black mold?« Back to Previous Page
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The AC in my bedroom has been leaking a bit onto the wall, and now I'm seeing a patch of black mold spreading behind my headboard. I wiped it with bleach but it came back worse within a week. My landlord says it's because I don't run the AC enough, but I'm hardly home during the day. Who is legally responsible for getting this properly treated and fixing the AC unit—me or the building management?
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The AC unit and its maintenance are generally the landlord's responsibility under Dubai law, particularly when a leak is causing property damage. The recurring black mold is a direct result of that leak, not your usage pattern. Humidity here condenses constantly on cold surfaces, and a faulty AC drain line is a common cause.
Wiping visible mold with bleach often fails because it doesn't address the moisture source or the mold roots within porous materials like drywall. It can also aggravate the problem by adding moisture. The underlying wall likely requires professional remediation to prevent regrowth and spore dispersal. For a verifiable resolution, request that the landlord arranges for two actions: an HVAC technician to repair the AC leak at its source, and a separate mold inspection. A proper inspection, ideally with lab analysis, can identify the species and the full extent of the contamination, which guides the correct remediation protocol. Document the issue and your communication with the landlord in writing. If they are unresponsive, you can escalate the matter to the Dubai Land Department's Rental Dispute Center (RDC) for mediation. |
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