Who is responsible for mold cleanup, tenant or landlord?« Back to Previous Page
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Our master bedroom closet in our Jumeirah Village Triangle apartment has started to smell really damp, and I just found a patch of black mold spreading on the back wall. We had that heavy fog a couple of weeks ago, and I think the humidity has caused it. Who is responsible for dealing with this and paying for the cleanup, me as the tenant or the landlord?
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In the UAE, the responsibility for mold remediation is determined by the cause of the moisture, as stipulated in Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai (as amended). The landlord is responsible for the structural integrity of the property, including the external envelope, waterproofing, and the proper functioning of the building's central air conditioning system. If the mold in your Jumeirah Village Triangle apartment is a result of a construction defect, such as a leaking pipe within the wall, inadequate external waterproofing, or a faulty AC system leading to condensation, the financial responsibility for the investigation and remediation falls on the landlord.
However, the tenant is responsible for damages resulting from negligence or misuse. This includes failing to use the AC appropriately to control the extreme Dubai humidity, not reporting pre-existing water leaks in a timely manner, or creating excessive moisture through activities without proper ventilation. Given your description—location on an exterior wall following a period of heavy fog (a common source of condensation here)—this strongly suggests an environmental humidity issue, potentially exacerbated by insufficient AC operation or a lack of localized dehumidification. The first step is to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing with photographs. We strongly recommend a professional mold inspection to definitively identify the moisture source and the species of mold, as this technical report is critical for determining liability. Attempting to clean significant growth without addressing the root cause will lead to rapid recurrence. For a certified assessment and a remediation plan that complies with Dubai Municipality guidelines, please contact our specialists at Saniservice. Call 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com to schedule an inspection. |
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