Who pays for AC mold cleanup in a Dubai rental?« Back to Previous Page

The responsibility for mold cleanup in a Dubai rental is typically determined by the source of the moisture. If the mold is a direct result of a leaking AC unit that falls under the landlord's maintenance responsibility, as per standard Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), the landlord is generally obligated to address both the leak and the resultant damage.

Your first step is to formally notify your landlord in writing about the AC leak and the mold growth, as this starts a documented paper trail. The landlord's responsibility is to fix the malfunctioning AC system, which is the root cause. The resulting mold remediation may also be their duty, but this can depend on the specific terms of your tenancy contract. It is common for disputes to arise over who pays for the inspection and cleanup of the damage itself.

For a situation of this duration, a professional inspection is strongly advised to determine the full extent of the mold growth, which is often not limited to visible surfaces. In Dubai's high humidity, mold can spread inside wall cavities from a persistent leak. The inspection report will be crucial evidence, as it can definitively link the mold growth to the AC leak, strengthening your position with the landlord. The cost of the initial inspection might be negotiable or even covered by the landlord once they understand the severity and their potential liability for the underlying issue.

If the landlord remains uncooperative after formal notification, you can file a complaint with the Rental Dispute Settlement Center (RDSC) in Dubai for a legal determination.