Who pays for black mold removal, landlord or tenant?« Back to Previous Page

We've been living in our Marina apartment for two years and just noticed a large patch of black mold in the corner of our master bedroom closet, which is on the wall facing the outside. My husband has been having terrible allergy symptoms that seem to get worse at home. Our last maintenance request took the landlord's office over a month to address. Who is legally responsible for the inspection and remediation costs here, the tenant or the landlord, and what's the fastest way to get this handled given the health concerns?
Posted by Anita Kumar
Asked on March 24, 2026 1:36 am
In the UAE, the responsibility for mold remediation in a rental property is primarily governed by the rental contract and Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007, as amended (the 'Dubai Rental Law'). Typically, the structural integrity of the property, including issues with the building envelope that lead to water intrusion and subsequent mold growth, is the legal responsibility of the landlord. Given that the mold is on an external wall in a high-humidity environment like Dubai Marina, the root cause is likely a leak in the building's facade or faulty insulation, which constitutes a structural defect.

However, if the mold resulted from tenant negligence, such as a failure to use the AC to control humidity, improper ventilation leading to condensation, or damage caused by the tenant, the cost could fall to the tenant. Your husband's worsening allergy symptoms are a significant health concern, as exposure to toxigenic molds like Stachybotrys (black mold) can cause severe respiratory issues.

The fastest course of action is to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing, citing the potential health hazard and referencing the relevant clause in your contract. Due to the health implications and the technical expertise required to identify the moisture source, we strongly recommend an immediate professional inspection. Our certified team at Saniservice uses thermal imaging and moisture meters to pinpoint the exact cause and provide a legally defensible report for the landlord. For urgent health-related cases, do not wait for prolonged maintenance cycles. Call us directly at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com for a comprehensive assessment and swift remediation plan to safeguard your health and resolve the liability issue.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on March 26, 2026 2:01 pm