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
Toss your moldy rug and your moldy friends, too. Let them know they have to move out for mold remediation that will take 2 or 3 months, and be sure to give them back 100% of their security deposit. It’s a small price to pay not to have to deal with idiots.
“NEVER EVER RENT TO FRIENDS ”
And yet I rent from my closest friend and lo and behold, we are still friends. It’s been over 7 years now. Never say never.
Throw the rug out and do a thorough cleaning of the area. No need to worry about mold in other areas unless it is visible.
I’ve had mold inspections. I know all about mold. The advice here is correct. Toss the rug and use some bleach.
Do you see any mold anywhere else — like on drywall, for example? If so, you might want to consider removing it and replacing it.
As for tests, what would you be testing for? A test can tell you how concentrated the mold is and what type you have, but not whether it’s “toxic.” You already know you have a moldy rug.
It’s very unlikely that five months of living with a moldy rug would be cause for concern. Just get rid of the rug.
“if it is in the walls and insulation or wood etc. and you have to remediate then get it done and charge them.”
You can not charge your tenants for damage related to a flood they did not cause. If anything, they would be coming after you to replace their ruined belongings. Agree 100% that they should have done something about the rug immediately but as mentioned many people are flakes.
Put things in perspective…ever watch Hoarders?!
BHS is correct all the way through.
As a renter that use to live in a brownstone that was Owner/Landlord occupied, I would never do it again. Best to work with management companies, that way all communication is official and documented.
Remove the rug, mop the floor with a bleach solution, and ventilate well with fans for a week. And let your former friends know you wont be renewing their lease.
toss the rug, bleach the floor and let it go. you have flaky friends, who doesn’t know someone flakey?
if it is in the walls and insulation or wood etc. and you have to remediate then get it done and charge them.
the mold thing is sometimes a huge overblown racket – – if it is indeed in the walls or insulation that’s one thing, but a rug (which should never be in the basement in the first place) is another.
busted, dude!
moral of the story: NEVER EVER RENT TO FRIENDS