Who is responsible for mold removal costs in a rental?« Back to Previous Page

In Dubai rentals, the landlord is generally responsible for addressing mold issues caused by structural or maintenance defects, such as a leaking roof, faulty AC condensation drainage, or poor building envelope integrity. These are considered failures of the property's main structure (the 'shell'), which is the owner's legal responsibility to maintain in habitable condition.

However, if the mold growth is a direct result of tenant behavior—such as failing to use the AC adequately to control humidity, not ventilating bathrooms, or causing water damage that wasn't reported and mitigated promptly—the cost of remediation could fall to the tenant.

Given your description, the issue likely stems from a persistent humidity or condensation problem, possibly from the AC system or a hidden leak, which is the landlord's responsibility. The strong musty smell and rapid spread after humid weather are significant red flags. Do not attempt to clean this yourself, as improper handling can aerosolize spores and worsen the air quality, potentially exacerbating your kids' coughing.

Your first step is to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing, detailing the issue and including photos. Mention the health symptoms and the smell. Request a professional inspection to identify the underlying moisture source. A proper fix requires addressing that source first, followed by safe remediation of the mold itself. For verification of the mold type and to ensure the cleanup is effective, a post-remediation test from an independent lab can provide concrete evidence that the issue has been resolved.