Water leaking from balcony into my Dubai apartment during rain — whose responsibility?

Water ingress from a balcony during rain in Dubai is a structural waterproofing failure — not caused by the tenant — and is therefore the landlord's responsibility to fix. The cause is almost always one of: Failed waterproofing membrane on the balcony floor (the membrane deteriorates over time, especially with Dubai's UV exposure and temperature extremes). Cracked or failed sealant around the sliding door frame where it meets the balcony floor — the most common entry point. Blocked or poorly positioned balcony drain causing water to pond against the door frame. What to do: Document the leak thoroughly with photos and video during the next rain event. Report it to your landlord in writing immediately — WhatsApp with read receipt. State clearly that water ingress is occurring and causing damp damage to the interior wall. Landlords are responsible for waterproofing as it's a structural element. If they don't act within a reasonable timeframe (7–14 days for a non-emergency structural issue), escalate to RERA. The fix typically involves: resealing around the door frame (AED 300–800, quick fix), or full balcony waterproofing membrane replacement (AED 2,000–6,000 depending on balcony size). Don't let this go unaddressed — water ingress causes progressive damage to the wall structure and can lead to mould, which becomes a health issue.