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

In Dubai, the responsibility and cost allocation for black mold remediation are primarily dictated by the tenancy contract and Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007, as amended (the Dubai Rental Law). The fundamental principle is that the landlord is responsible for the structural integrity and maintenance of the main building components, including the roof, external walls, and central AC systems, which are the most common sources of water intrusion leading to mold.

Given your description—a patch spreading from the ceiling corner after heavy rains with a damp wall—this strongly indicates a leak from the building envelope, such as a compromised roof or a crack in the external wall. This is unequivocally a structural issue, making it the landlord's responsibility to rectify the source of the water ingress. They are obligated to repair the leak and any resultant damage to the property's structure.

However, the tenant's responsibility, as per standard contracts, is to maintain the interior and report issues promptly. Your immediate action should be to formally notify the landlord or property management company in writing, with photo evidence, to document the issue. Delaying this report could potentially make you liable for exacerbated damage.

Crucially, the actual mold growth itself presents a health risk and requires professional remediation. Standard building maintenance cannot address microbial contamination. The remediation process involves containment, air filtration, removal of affected materials, and hygienization to ensure spores are eradicated, which is essential in Dubai's humid climate where AC systems can quickly spread contaminants.

For a case of this severity, a professional inspection is mandatory to determine the full extent and identify the precise moisture source. I strongly recommend you contact a specialist like Saniservice for a comprehensive assessment. Our certified inspectors use thermal imaging and moisture meters to provide a definitive report, which can be crucial evidence for your landlord. Call 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com to schedule an inspection.