Who is responsible for mold in my JVC apartment?« Back to Previous Page

Our master bedroom closet in our Jumeirah Village Circle apartment has developed a ton of black mold on the back wall, which I only noticed when pulling out our winter clothes. It's been getting worse since the humidity spiked a couple of months ago. I've wiped it down with vinegar, but it just comes back stronger every week. Who is legally responsible for handling this kind of structural mold issue, me as the tenant or my landlord, and what's the proper way to get them to take action?
Posted by Aiko Suzuki
Asked on April 17, 2026 8:45 pm
The responsibility for mold in your JVC apartment typically falls on the landlord, as it's considered a structural maintenance issue. The landlord is obligated to provide a habitable property under UAE tenancy law, and recurring black mold due to a building envelope or ventilation flaw qualifies.

Your first step is to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing, with clear photos. Avoid temporary fixes like vinegar, which only removes surface discoloration and does not address the moisture source. The underlying cause in a JVC closet is often chronic condensation from the adjacent bathroom, a leaking pipe within the wall, or inadequate insulation against the building's cold exterior—all structural issues.

Given the humidity and year-round AC use in Dubai, a professional inspection is key to identifying the exact moisture source. The remediation process must fix the water intrusion first, then properly remove the contaminated materials. For a case this persistent, a lab test can identify the mold species, which strengthens your case with the landlord by demonstrating a potential health and property risk. If the landlord is unresponsive, you can escalate the matter to the Rental Dispute Center (RDC) in Dubai.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on April 20, 2026 11:49 am