Who pays for mold damage from AC leak in Dubai?« Back to Previous Page

Your landlord is generally responsible for repairing the leak, fixing the mold damage, and replacing the carpet. Under Dubai rental law (Law No. 26 of 2007), the landlord must maintain the property in a habitable condition, which includes the proper functioning of installed AC units and addressing structural damage they cause. The AC leak is a maintenance issue, and the resulting mold and damage stem from it.

Notify your landlord in writing immediately, with clear photos of the leak and mold. This creates a formal record. They are obligated to address the source of the problem—the leaking AC unit. For the mold itself, the remediation required depends on the extent. The patch under the carpet may be surface-level, but in Dubai's climate, moisture wicks deep into concrete screed, and mold can grow unseen. A professional inspection can determine if the subfloor is affected.

If the landlord is unresponsive, you can file a complaint with the Rental Dispute Center (RDC) in Dubai. They will typically side with the tenant for health and habitability issues like this. Do not attempt to remove large patches of black mold yourself; disturbing it can aerosolize spores throughout your apartment. For a small area, you can carefully clean it with a detergent solution, but proper remediation often requires professional drying and antimicrobial treatment to prevent recurrence from our high humidity.