Who is responsible for mold on apartment wall: tenant or landlord?« Back to Previous Page

Responsibility typically falls to the landlord for structural issues causing the mold, while the tenant is responsible for issues stemming from their own negligence. In Dubai, this is governed by Law No. (26) of 2007, known as the Dubai Rental Law.

The key is identifying the source. The damp wall behind a fixed wardrobe in JVT is a strong indicator of a penetration or condensation issue. Brutal humidity, combined with year-round AC use, often causes condensation on cold exterior walls, especially when furniture restricts airflow. This is a very common scenario in Dubai's climate. The landlord is generally responsible for fixing the underlying cause, such as a leaking pipe inside the wall, faulty external waterproofing, or defective insulation.

Your first step is to formally notify the landlord or building management in writing, with photos. They are obligated to address the root cause. As a tenant, you are responsible for general maintenance and ventilation; failing to use bathroom extractor fans or reporting a leaking AC unit that causes mold would be your responsibility. However, simply moving furniture to clean and discovering this hidden issue is not negligence.

For a definitive answer, a professional inspection is advised to diagnose the moisture source. This provides concrete evidence for your landlord. If the landlord refuses to act on a verified structural issue, you can file a case with the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre in Dubai. Do not attempt to remediate it yourself until the source of moisture is permanently fixed, or the mold will return.