Who pays for mold damage from a leaking AC: landlord or me?« Back to Previous Page

The landlord is almost always responsible for paying for both the mold remediation and the replacement of your damaged belongings in this scenario. UAE tenancy law places the obligation for maintaining the property's structure and essential services, like a functioning AC unit, squarely on the landlord.

Your repeated reports to the maintenance guy are key. Document everything: dated photos of the leak, the mold growth, and your damaged shoes, plus records of your communication (emails, WhatsApp messages). This establishes that the landlord was aware of the issue and failed to resolve it permanently. The temporary fixes that lead to recurring mold, especially in Dubai's high humidity which accelerates growth, demonstrate negligence in providing a habitable property.

For your health and to strengthen your case, a professional inspection is critical. A certified mold assessment will verify the extent of the infestation, identify the species present, and provide a official report linking the mold directly to the AC leak. This documented evidence is powerful when negotiating with the landlord.

Formally notify your landlord in writing, attaching all your evidence and the inspection report, and request immediate, permanent repair of the AC unit, professional mold remediation of the closet, and compensation for your ruined items. If they refuse, you can file a complaint with the Dubai Rental Dispute Center (RDC), where your documentation will be essential for a ruling in your favor. Do not attempt to clean significant mold growth yourself, as improper methods can spread spores and exacerbate the problem.