Who is responsible for mold inspection in rental property?« Back to Previous Page
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The AC in our bedroom in Jumeirah Village Circle has been making us feel stuffy and giving us headaches for a couple of months. I finally pulled the vent cover off and found what looks like a lot of black dust and some fuzzy patches around the edges. Our landlord is saying it's our fault for not changing the filters, but we change them every two months like we're supposed to. Who is legally responsible for arranging and paying for a proper mold inspection in this case?
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In the context of Dubai's rental properties, the responsibility for a mold inspection is typically governed by the terms of the tenancy contract and the overarching Dubai Rental Law. The landlord is generally responsible for maintaining the structural integrity and major systems of the property, which includes the central air conditioning (AC) system, ductwork, and ventilation. Tenants are responsible for general upkeep, such as replacing disposable AC filters as per the manufacturer's guidelines.
Your situation in Jumeirah Village Circle is a common consequence of the Dubai climate. Year-round AC use leads to significant condensation within the units, and high ambient humidity provides the perfect environment for mold growth inside the ducts and on the cooling coils—areas a tenant cannot access or clean. If you have been changing the filters every two months as stipulated, the issue likely originates from within the landlord's maintained AC system. Legally, the obligation to investigate and rectify this hidden defect falls on the landlord, as it pertains to the building's fixed installation and affects the habitability of the property. The presence of visible microbial growth and associated health symptoms like headaches constitutes a serious indoor air quality issue that requires immediate professional attention. We strongly advise you to formally request that the landlord arranges for a certified mold inspection. This is not a superficial check but a technical process involving air and surface sampling, thermal imaging to detect moisture sources, and a detailed assessment of the AC evaporator coils and ductwork. For this level of expert analysis and to ensure your case is properly documented, we recommend you engage a specialist like Saniservice. Our certified inspectors can provide a comprehensive report that definitively identifies the source and extent of contamination, which can be used to formally require the landlord to perform necessary remediation. For immediate assistance, please call 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com to schedule an inspection. |
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