Who is responsible for treating mold, tenant or landlord?« Back to Previous Page

Excellent question, and a very common point of contention for tenants here in Dubai. As a certified mold inspector, I can tell you the responsibility hinges entirely on the cause of the moisture intrusion.

Based on your description—mold appearing on the ceiling after a period of heavy humidity—this strongly points to a building envelope or structural issue. This could be a leaking AC condensation pipe within the ceiling void, a small crack in the building's external facade allowing water ingress during rain, or inadequate insulation leading to condensation. These are all considered the landlord's responsibility to maintain and repair under the standard Dubai rental law (EJARI).

The tenant is typically responsible for mold caused by their own actions, such as lack of ventilation, failing to use bathroom extractor fans, or interior water leaks from appliances they own that are not addressed promptly.

However, determining the exact cause is the critical first step. A professional inspection is absolutely necessary. We would conduct a comprehensive assessment, including moisture mapping and thermal imaging, to pinpoint the exact source of the water. This evidence-based report is crucial for formally notifying your landlord or building management of their obligation to fix the root cause. Treating the mold itself without fixing the leak is a complete waste of time and money, as it will simply return.

My strong recommendation is to get a certified inspection immediately. Once you have the report, you can present it to your landlord to initiate the necessary repairs. For immediate advice or to schedule an inspection, please call our experts at 800-MOLDS or email hello@saniservice.com.