Is black bathroom grout mold a landlord's responsibility?« Back to Previous Page

The grout between the floor tiles in our Jumeirah Village Circle apartment's main bathroom has started turning black, and I'm worried it's mold. We've been here for almost a year and it's been slowly getting worse, especially since the weather got more humid. I'm not sure if this is something I need to handle myself with a special cleaner or if this is the landlord's responsibility for a deep clean. Who is typically responsible for treating mold in rental properties here?
Posted by Hamad Al-Qasim
Asked on May 2, 2026 9:00 pm
0
Black bathroom grout in a humid climate like Dubai is almost certainly microbial growth, which thrives in the high humidity from showers combined with our airborne dust and sand. The landlord is typically responsible for addressing the underlying cause of the mold, such as a ventilation issue or water leak, as per the Dubai Rental Law. However, surface cleaning and maintenance are generally the tenant's responsibility.

For a small area, you can attempt to clean it yourself with a dedicated grout cleaner or a paste of baking soda and vinegar. The key is to improve ventilation by running the bathroom exhaust fan for at least 30 minutes after every shower and regularly wiping down wet surfaces.

If the black discoloration is widespread, keeps returning quickly after cleaning, or has a musty odor, the issue is likely deeper within the grout or tile substrate. In such cases, a professional inspection is needed to assess the extent. Landlords are often more responsive to a formal assessment that details the root cause. For persistent problems in JVC apartments, the high ambient humidity means superficial cleaning rarely provides a long-term solution without also addressing the moisture source.
Posted by Sani Admin
Answered on May 4, 2026 3:46 am