Who is responsible for mold from a landlord's leak?« Back to Previous Page
|
The ceiling in our DEWA closet has had a slow leak for a couple of months, and now I’m seeing a bunch of black, fuzzy spots spreading around it. I’ve told the landlord’s agent about the leak, but they’ve been really slow to send anyone. With this humidity, the mold is getting worse, and I’m worried about it affecting the electrical meter and our health. Who is legally responsible for dealing with this mold remediation—is it me as the tenant, or is the property owner required to handle and pay for it?
|
|
In the UAE, specifically under Dubai's rental laws (Law No. 26 of 2007), the responsibility for mold remediation falls squarely on the property owner if the root cause is a structural issue, such as the leaking ceiling you've described. As a tenant, your obligation is to report the defect in a timely manner, which you have done. The landlord is then legally required to address the underlying leak and the resulting damage, including professional mold remediation, to maintain the property's habitability.
Given the conditions you've outlined—a DEWA closet with an electrical meter and the UAE's high humidity—this is a serious situation. The black, fuzzy growth is likely Stachybotrys chartarum, which poses significant health risks and can cause corrosion to electrical components. The landlord's agent is legally obligated to act. We strongly recommend you formally reiterate the urgency in writing, noting the potential for electrical hazard and health implications. For your safety, do not attempt to remediate this yourself. Disturbing the mold can aerosolize toxic spores. This requires professional assessment and containment. Our certified teams at Saniservice use specialized equipment like moisture meters and thermal imaging to pinpoint the leak's extent and execute IAQ-compliant remediation. Please contact us immediately for a professional inspection at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or hello@saniservice.com. We can also provide a detailed report to expedite communication with your landlord. |
Please log in to post questions/answers: