Mold Help, Tenant Issue
Hello, We let our tenants use the basement.. There was a flood and their rug got wet. We asked them on a few occasions to get the rug cleaned or thrown out or just taken care of. They told us that they would handle the situation and we did not give it a second thought….
Hello,
We let our tenants use the basement.. There was a flood and their rug got wet. We asked them on a few occasions to get the rug cleaned or thrown out or just taken care of. They told us that they would handle the situation and we did not give it a second thought.
Our second thought came yesterday when we went downstairs and moved something on the rug and discovered that the carpet was covered in mold and mildew.
I called a bunch of mold services and they all had people answering the phone telling me of course I should use their services.
I also discovered 550 dollars is the standard mold testing fee..
So, my question is, do you think it is the responsible move to get the basement tested because of a moldy carpet?
Do, I charge my tenants for this or take it from their security deposit.
Is their a mold place that is less than 550 bucks or any other suggestions for removing mold from my basement.
I am really looking for people’s perspectives and advice.
Thanks,
Daniel
I don’t know what caused the flood, but that is your issue.
Basements flood. Figure that part out, throw out the rug and calm down. You need to explain to the tenants that you are tossing the rug, it’s unhealthy to have that there and recognize the fact yourself that that’s what happens in basements — they flood. There are a thousand reasons why they might flood, but you need to identify what happened exactly, address THAT and then clean up. Forget sticking it to them. It is your house, just do it and then work this out with them. i.e. rugs don’t work down here, no more rugs, and have them put whatever is in there in watertight containers. I made the mistake of thinking I could use the basement like a regular room but I have had a number of issues, always something different — neighbors problems, my problem with gutters, etc.
And forget the fancy dancy mold/mildew service. Total ripoff. Mold grows with water. It is YOUR JOB to figure out what happened with the water.
Yes, it seems to some of us that you are overly pissed about a moldy rug which you can toss. There’s more to the story – you have an unhappy history with your tenant / “friends”.
“we are renting the garden level to our friends.. I feel as though they are taking advantage of the fact that we are friends..
For example, I received a phone call that we “had to call a plumber” because the toilet was clogged.. I went downstairs and with in 2 seconds unclogged their crap filled toilet with a plunger.. ”
http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forum/archives/2010/06/whats_expected.php
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Great research .. There is a lot more to the story. A tale of intrigue and mystery. Lust and corruption. If you keep digging you will find all of lifes answers.
Thanks for the help everyone..
My original question was “So, my question is, do you think it is the responsible move to get the basement tested because of a moldy carpet? ”
So yes, it appears that the majority of people here do not think I will have mold issue if there was a moldy carpet. I am fine with the answer and appreciate the advice.
The carpet is gone, the floor has been bleached. Life is certainly moving on.
Have a great weekend everyone and thank you again.
And never rent to lawyers!!
Yeah.
there molding rug is not causing other things to be moldy.
Mold spores are everywhere in the air….and will grow if conditions are right(moisture, etc).
You’re really overreacting. And an easy victim.
Mold remediation? Where? In the rug?
Is the floor under the rug now moldy? What is the floor made of?
bx — does your LL know you are registerd in NY with the “Rent is Too Damned High” party?
I agree with the majority. Get rid of the rug, or leave it in a contractor bag outside for the tenants to decide what to do with it. But that’s it. It’s your basement but you didn’t give it a second thought for five months? Then if — big if — the rug contributed to the spread of mold, you still have only yourselves to blame. Obviously, you don’t like your friends as tenants, so don’t renew the lease. But it neither sounds like you have a mold problem not that yout tenants are responsible for it.
“Toxic mold” is a minefield of rip-off artists seeking an asbestos-like gravy train. Bleach, baby, bleach.