ᐅ Moisture Issues in Basement Apartment

So it probably isn’t due to the insulation but rather the tenant’s behavior. However, this is likely not a valid reason for compensation. Even though it is frustrating that, according to the report, he still hasn’t moved his furniture away from the wall. That will be costly!

I’ll probably have to draft a comprehensive additional agreement to the lease contract outlining what he is not allowed to do.

- Ventilation during high outdoor temperatures (and a detailed description of ventilation)
- No drying laundry inside the apartment
- No furniture placed directly against the walls
- .......


Never again invest in an apartment as a rental property!

R.Hotzenplotz schrieb:

- Ventilate during high outdoor temperatures (describe ventilation methods in detail)
- Do not dry laundry inside the apartment
- Avoid placing furniture directly against the walls

What a mess... If I were your landlord, I would have something to say to you.

Steffen80 schrieb:
What a mess... If I were your landlord, I'd have a thing or two to say to you.

That's what the inspector told me. What am I supposed to do? I can't renovate only for the mold to come back again.....

Talk to him, maybe he will understand better then. Give him these salt dehumidifiers and ask him to place two in the apartment. Maybe that will be enough.

Just try googling

Mold in Individual Ownership – Property Manager Must Investigate the Cause

You come across a lawyer’s webpage discussing cost liability, including for inspections. Do I understand correctly that, according to these rulings, the property management or homeowners’ association is required to cover the costs for the expert assessment, even if the inspection and excavation reveal no damage to the common property? I gather that the management is obligated to investigate or rule out damage to common property. However, there is no mention of cost pass-through.

What is your take on this? The property manager is already asking how the costs should be handled.

R.Hotzenplotz schrieb:


It looks like I’ll need to draft a comprehensive addendum to the lease specifying what he is not allowed to do.

- Ventilation during high outdoor temperatures (ventilation procedures need to be clearly defined)
- no drying laundry inside the apartment
- no placing furniture directly against the walls
- .......

Your tenant would be ill advised to agree to that. And what would motivate him to sign such an addendum?

Where do you expect him to dry his laundry, by the way?

In my opinion, the report is not really accurate. The mold is supposed to result solely from (excessive) ventilation in the summer? Sure, warm summer air has high humidity—but that alone wouldn’t cause damage to that extent! Something must be wrong with the building structure. I suspect the insulation is insufficient or defective. That would also explain the increased mold growth in corners and near the floor.

If I were your tenant, I wouldn’t stay in the apartment a day longer. This level of mold infestation is seriously harmful to health!