Who is responsible for rental mold causing health issues?« Back to Previous Page

Based on UAE rental law, specifically Law No. (26) of 2007, the landlord is fundamentally responsible for maintaining the property's structural integrity and ensuring it is habitable. This includes addressing issues like a broken extractor fan, which is a building fixture. Since the fan has been inoperative since your tenancy began, the responsibility for this defect and the resulting mold growth falls squarely on the landlord. You have a strong case that their failure to provide adequate ventilation is the root cause.

The link between mold exposure and the exacerbation of asthma, particularly in children, is well-documented clinically. The mold spores are a known respiratory irritant and allergen. For a situation like this, involving health concerns, a professional inspection is not just recommended—it's critical. We would conduct air and surface sampling to identify the specific mold species and spore count, which provides documented, scientific evidence linking the contamination to the health issue. This report is vital for any formal dispute with the landlord.

Your first step should be to formally notify the landlord in writing about the defect (the broken fan) and the resultant mold, giving them a reasonable timeframe to fix it. If they refuse, you can file a complaint with the Rental Dispute Settlement Center in Dubai. Do not attempt to remove significant mold growth yourself, as improper remediation can aerosolize spores and worsen the problem.

For an immediate professional assessment and to get the evidence you need, call our team at 800-MOLDS or email hello@saniservice.com. We can document the issue thoroughly to support your case with the landlord.