Who pays for mold removal, landlord or tenant?« Back to Previous Page
|
My kids have been coughing and I suspect it's because of the black mold I've found growing along the bottom of the bedroom wall in our Mirdif villa. The landlord says it's our fault for not ventilating properly, but we run the AC constantly. The dampness seems to be coming from inside the wall itself. Who is legally responsible for the inspection and remediation costs here, the tenant or the landlord?
|
|
In the UAE, particularly in Dubai's high-humidity climate, the responsibility for mold remediation is primarily dictated by the cause of the moisture. Under standard tenancy contracts and Law No. 26 of 2007 (as amended), the landlord is legally obligated to provide a habitable property and maintain the structural integrity of the building. If the dampness is originating from inside the wall, as you suspect, this points to a structural defect. This could be a leaking pipe within the cavity, a crack in the building envelope, or faulty waterproofing—all of which are unequivocally the landlord's responsibility to investigate and repair. Their claim about ventilation is a common deflection; while daily activities contribute to humidity, constant AC use should mitigate this, and internal wall moisture is a clear structural issue.
Your first step must be a professional inspection. A certified mold assessor, like those at Saniservice, will conduct a thorough investigation using moisture meters, thermal imaging cameras, and air/surface sampling to definitively identify the source of the water intrusion. This objective report is crucial evidence for legally establishing liability. Do not attempt to remove the mold yourself, as disturbing it can exacerbate the health issues your children are experiencing. The landlord is responsible for the costs of both the inspection to identify the structural fault and the subsequent remediation work required to fix the leak and remove the contamination. For immediate professional assessment and a detailed report to present to your landlord, call Saniservice at 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com. |
Please log in to post questions/answers: