Who is responsible for mold in a rental apartment closet?« Back to Previous Page

Responsibility for mold in a rental depends on the source of the moisture. Under Dubai tenancy law, landlords are responsible for repairing structural issues causing water ingress, like a leaking pipe inside the wall or faulty external waterproofing. Tenants are typically responsible for issues stemming from daily living, like inadequate ventilation leading to condensation.

Given the location is an interior closet in a humid Marina apartment, the cause is likely condensation from the high ambient humidity interacting with cold walls. Running AC constantly without ensuring it's properly dehumidifying can exacerbate this. Your first step is to notify the landlord or property management in writing with photos. They should arrange an inspection to determine the moisture source. For a confirmed structural leak, they must repair it. If it's purely environmental, cleaning and repainting may fall to you, but negotiation is common.

For any significant growth, a professional inspection is advised to identify the mold type and properly remediate it to prevent recurrence. Simply wiping it away often leaves microscopic spores. In Dubai's climate, addressing the underlying humidity with improved airflow or a dedicated dehumidifier is often necessary alongside cleaning.