Who is responsible for mold on my rental wall?« Back to Previous Page

Your landlord is incorrect about the AC temperature being the cause; this is a common misconception. The black and green growth is almost certainly mould caused by excess moisture, and in Dubai's climate, the primary culprit is usually condensation or a hidden water leak, not your AC setting.

Under UAE rental law, the responsibility for structural repairs and issues stemming from the building itself falls on the landlord. Since the mould is on the wall itself and has appeared due to humidity (a known environmental factor in JVC) or a potential leak in the building envelope, the landlord is typically responsible for the investigation and remediation. The exception would be if you caused the moisture through specific negligence, like not using the AC at all, which is not the case here.

You should formally notify your landlord in writing immediately, with clear photos showing the spread. Request a professional mould inspection to identify the exact moisture source—it could be a leaking pipe in the wall, inadequate insulation causing condensation, or faulty external sealing. A proper inspection will provide the evidence needed to determine liability. Do not attempt to clean it yourself with bleach, as this will only remove the colour and not the underlying mould or moisture problem. The remediation process must address the root cause to prevent it from returning.