Who is responsible for mold from unrepaired AC leak?« Back to Previous Page
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The AC in my bedroom closet has been leaking a bit for a couple of months, and now I’ve found a patch of black mold on the wall behind my clothes. I’ve told my landlord’s maintenance guy twice about the leak, but he just wiped the area and didn’t fix the root cause. Who is legally responsible for dealing with this mold remediation—is it me as the tenant for not reporting it enough, or is it the landlord’s obligation to properly fix the leak and the resulting damage?
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Based on UAE tenancy law, specifically Law No. (26) of 2007, the responsibility for structural maintenance and repairs lies squarely with the landlord. This includes the maintenance and proper functioning of all fixed installations, such as the air conditioning system. Since you have reported the AC leak on two separate occasions, you have adequately fulfilled your duty as a tenant to inform the landlord of the defect.
The landlord's maintenance team addressing only the symptom (wiping the moisture) while neglecting the root cause (the leak itself) is a failure to perform adequate maintenance. In Dubai's climate, with high ambient humidity and year-round AC operation, a persistent water leak will inevitably lead to mold growth. The resulting mold infestation is a direct consequence of this unrepaired moisture issue, making the landlord legally responsible for the remediation of both the leak and the mold. For a situation of this nature, a professional inspection is critical. We recommend you formally notify your landlord in writing, detailing the history of reports and the now-present mold, and request immediate, professional remediation. Surface cleaning is insufficient; the leak must be repaired and the affected building materials must be properly assessed and treated by specialists to prevent spore proliferation and potential health issues. For a comprehensive assessment and certified remediation process, you or your landlord can contact our team at Saniservice. Call 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com to schedule an inspection and receive a detailed report that can be used to formally address the liability and required corrective actions. |
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