Tenant threating lawsuit

[Spencer Folse]

I have SFH located in south Louisiana. Around a month ago our tenants started complaining about it being hot inside the home with condensation and potential moisture problems. We had an HVAC tech go out and check on the unit and the house try and locate the problem... they stated that adding additional insulation in the attic would help keep the home cooler and also provide a barrier from the hot and cold air from mixing, causing condensation. We implemented this recommendation but it did not solve the problem.

We then got a second opinion which lead to a recommendation of putting a vapor barrier under the home due to the potential of moisture getting under the home and the heat causing the water to raise into the home, creating the moisture issue. We completed this recommendation as well with no solution of the problem.

So we contracted one last HVAC company, which they mentioned that the tenants roll around portable AC (which they are using to try and cool off the home) is more than likely bringing in a negative pressure into the home and causing additional moisture. They also recommend the tenants keep the thermostat no more than 20 degrees from the outside temp because they are trying to keep the home too cold. We also installed a window unit to try help with the heat.

All three HVAC companies stated that there was nothing wrong with the AC and because its an older home (1970s) that it more than likely isn't insulated the greatest throughout the home (walls, etc.)

The tenants are now claiming they are smelling mold and starting the see mold on the walls. They are now claiming that the house is not livable and are trying to get us to offer them half off rent for the remainder of the year because they supposedly can't find another place and so they can have extra room in their budget to pay for higher electrical bills, mold cleaning supplies, and medical expenses (coming from the mold). On the flip side, they have not done any of the recommendations from our last HVAC tech along the lines of getting rid of the roll around ACs and keeping the thermostat at a good temperature. We believe this moisture problem could have really came from the roll around ACs as we never had this problem before.

I have already offered them a free break of the lease so we can go our separate ways and also look to get into the home to get it fixed. 

Just looking for recommendations here,

Thanks all