How to keep tenants from turning off dehumidifier?

[Sarah Geary]

We recently bought a rental property with a basement that gets humid in the summer. We're concerned about possible mould growth, so we bought an efficient dehumidifier with a hose for drainage so it would be hassle-free for the tenant. We plan to require in the lease that the dehumidifier be kept on 24x7 (it only runs when the humidity gets too high). However, we're worried that tenants might still turn off that dehumidifier without our knowledge to save on their electric bill. Any recommendations?

[Nathan Gesner]

Make sure your lease includes a clause that tenant is responsible for any damages caused by turning the humidifier off. You can also put a note on the dehumidifier to remind them. Conduct quarterly inspections to verify it's running and things are staying dry.