Build a clear record before anything else: dated photos, hygrometer readings, and a note of when and where the growth appears. Report it to the landlord or building management in writing and keep copies. The cause determines responsibility — a building leak or defect is usually the owner's, while ventilation and humidity habits are usually the tenant's — but many cases are mixed. If maintenance only repaints it, ask for the moisture source to be identified. This is general information, not legal advice.
Key takeaways
- Document first: dated photos, humidity readings, a timeline.
- Report in writing and keep every message and response.
- A building leak or defect points to the owner; humidity and airflow habits point to the tenant.
- Repainting without finding the moisture source is not a fix — say so in writing.
Document it properly
- Dated photos of every affected area, wide and close, each time it appears or spreads.
- Hygrometer readings in the affected rooms over several days.
- A timeline — when you first saw it, what the weather or AC was doing, whether it followed a leak or a period away.
- Copies of all correspondence with the landlord or building management.
Report it the right way
Report in writing (email or a documented maintenance request), describe the location and history, attach photos, and ask specifically for the moisture source to be identified and corrected — not just for the wall to be repainted. Keep the thread. If maintenance attends, note what they did and photograph the result.
Who is responsible?
Responsibility in a UAE tenancy depends on your contract and the specific circumstances, and this is not legal advice. As a general pattern: building defects and leaks — a failed waterproofing membrane, a leaking common pipe, an AC system fault, envelope water ingress — are usually the owner's or building's to fix. Everyday humidity management — running extract fans, not sealing wardrobes against cold walls, drying laundry indoors without ventilation — is usually the tenant's. Many real cases are a mix, which is exactly why identifying the moisture source matters.
What a professional moisture report should include
- The affected areas and materials, with photos.
- Moisture meter readings and, where used, thermal imaging.
- The likely moisture source and how it was determined.
- What needs correcting, and what remediation the materials need.
- Clear separation of building repair from surface remediation.
See our Dubai guidelines and documentation page for the workflow: Document → Measure → Report → Investigate → Correct.
Educational information only — not legal advice (see our full disclaimer). Tenancy rights and responsibilities in the UAE depend on your contract and circumstances.