Who is responsible for mold in a rented villa?« Back to Previous Page

The responsibility for mold in a rented villa is generally determined by the cause, as outlined in Dubai's rental law. The landlord is responsible for repairing issues related to the fundamental structure of the property, such as leaking pipes, cracks in the exterior walls, or faulty waterproofing that allows moisture ingress. You, as the tenant, are typically responsible for issues arising from your use of the property, like insufficient ventilation leading to condensation.

Your situation in Jumeirah is a common scenario in Dubai's humid climate. A sofa placed against a wall, especially an exterior one, severely restricts airflow. The constant cooling from your AC creates a cold surface on that wall, and the humid air condenses on it, creating the perfect damp environment for mold to grow. This is often considered a maintenance issue stemming from living habits.

Your first step is to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing, with photos, as soon as possible. They should arrange an inspection to determine the root cause. If the mold is due to a structural defect, they must fix it. If it's deemed due to condensation, you will likely be responsible for the cleaning. However, given the extensive growth you describe, a professional inspection is strongly recommended to correctly identify the moisture source and type of mold, as some species require specific remediation protocols. For your health and to prevent recurrence, address the airflow by moving furniture away from walls and ensure your AC is set to a consistent temperature to reduce condensation.