Who is responsible for mould in a Dubai rental apartment — tenant or landlord?

This is a common dispute in Dubai and the answer depends on what's causing the mould. Mould caused by structural issues — rising damp, roof leaks, failed renovation/waterproofing" class="text-teal-600 hover:underline">waterproofing, condensation from inadequate insulation or ventilation in the building's design — is the landlord's responsibility. Mould caused by the tenant's behaviour — drying clothes indoors without ventilation, not using bathroom exhaust fans, keeping windows permanently closed in humid weather — can be considered the tenant's responsibility. In a 15-year-old Dubai building, black mould appearing behind wardrobes against exterior walls is almost always a structural issue — inadequate insulation causing the wall surface temperature to drop below the dew point. This is not caused by normal tenant behaviour. Black mould in the bathroom grout is more nuanced — it's often a combination of building ventilation design and tenant habits. Document the mould thoroughly with photos and report it to your landlord in writing immediately. If they blame you without evidence, request a professional damp survey. If the dispute escalates, RERA can arrange an inspection.