Mildew/Mold complaint

[Randy E.]

* moved from DIY forum... *

Quick facts: Small house, approximately 900 sq ft. New roof. Baseboard heat. Dry crawlspace. New plumbing with no leaks. I purchased it earlier this year after it had been empty for a few years. A slow five-month reno-rehab revealed no current or past moisture problems.

New tenants moved in a month ago during the last week of September. For the first three weeks, it was mostly happy happy joy joy. For the past ten days, the tenants have been complaining of mold/mildew appearing on their clothing and shoes. They said they waited a few days after noticing it to tell me.

When they told me, I immediately inspected the bedroom and closet where they said the problem was the worst. I saw no evidence of mold or mildew growing on the walls, ceiling or the carpet. The carpet was completely dry to the touch. I inspected the rest of the inside of the house and found nothing. I went under the house and personally looked around from corner to corner -- no signs of moisture or mold or mildew. The female tenant said she could "feel" the moisture in the air.

I asked around and a couple of guys who should know said plastic in the crawlspace might help. I had plastic installed on the ground in the crawlspace. This morning, she says the problem "seems" worse, because we had rain the last day or two. There remains absolutely no signs of mold or mildew on the house itself.

Here's my take. The greater neighborhood is undergoing gentrification, but this particular block is about two blocks away from truly being gentrified. This couple has never lived in a neighborhood like this, and though they love the house itself I can sense their unease about the area. This couple never visited the house prior to moving in, because they were out of state, but her parents visited several times and raved about it. I think the couple is uncomfortable living in the neighborhood and simply want to move to an area that better suits them, and are setting this up to get out of the lease.

So, I told her this morning I was completely okay with them breaking the lease and moving, and that I'd return their security deposit. If they don't want to be there, I am more than happy to let them move. There was high demand for the house, they've kept it clean, and I could rent it again in a week, so I won't lose any income. And I'd rather have someone in the house who was happy to be there. She said she would let me know later today what she and her boyfriend decide.

But, getting back to the mildew complaint. Is there any chance their story is legit? They showed me a couple of pairs of shoes and a jacket that had something on it. But there is nothing like that growing anywhere else in the closet where they kept those items. Is it possible that putting damp laundry in the closet could create this? Or putting wet shoes in a dark closet? I just find it hard to believe this "growth" isn't occurring anywhere else but on a few items of clothing.

Oh, if it matters, they have two cats and a small dog.

[Account Closed]

Randy E. Tell them to take a bath once in a while. :)