Am I responsible for fixing black bathroom grout?« Back to Previous Page

Black grout in bathroom tiles is a common issue in Dubai, primarily caused by mould growth due to the high humidity and condensation from showers and year-round AC use. The dark colour is often from melanin-producing moulds like Cladosporium, which are particularly resilient to surface cleaning.

Under standard Dubai rental contracts (EJARI), the responsibility for repairs hinges on whether the issue is considered maintenance or damage. General wear and tear from normal use, which includes mould growth due to environmental factors, is typically the landlord's responsibility to rectify. You would only be liable if the damage was a direct result of negligence, like failing to use the exhaust fan or causing water to pool consistently.

Since you’ve attempted remediation and it recurs quickly, this indicates a persistent problem that likely requires professional assessment. The recurrence suggests the mould may have penetrated the porous grout or that there is an underlying moisture issue, such as inadequate sealing or ventilation. Scrubbing with bleach only removes surface discolouration but does not address the root cause.

You should formally contact your landlord or property management company. Document the issue with photos and note your cleaning attempts. Request that they send a professional to properly assess and remediate it, which may involve grout deep-cleaning, re-sealing, or improving the bathroom’s ventilation. For verification, a professional inspection can identify the mould type and moisture source, which provides a clear basis for the required repair.