Who pays for mold treatment, landlord or tenant in Dubai?« Back to Previous Page

Under Dubai Law No. 26 of 2007 (as amended), the landlord is generally responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property. This includes addressing issues like water seepage, leaks, or inherent ventilation problems that lead to dampness and mold. The tenant is responsible for damages resulting from their own negligence, like failing to use the AC or causing a specific water spill.

The key is establishing the root cause. In a Dubai Marina apartment, the damp wall behind a wardrobe is a classic sign of condensation. This occurs when humid air meets a cold surface, like an exterior wall cooled by year-round AC. While tenants should ventilate rooms, the primary cause is often insufficient insulation or a pre-existing moisture penetration issue from the building envelope, which is the landlord's responsibility to rectify.

Your first step is to formally notify your landlord in writing (email is best) with clear photos of the damage. Politely reference that the dampness appears to be related to the building's structure or condensation from AC use, which is inherent to the climate. Request a professional inspection to determine the exact source.

If the landlord refuses, you can file a complaint with the Rental Dispute Center (RDC) in Dubai. They will typically require an expert report to assign liability. A certified mold inspection that includes moisture mapping and identifies the water source is the most effective way to resolve such disputes, as it provides impartial evidence of whether the cause is structural or tenant-related.