Tenant complains of foul smell

[Pero Konjevich]

I recently rented out a house to a couple that lost their house due to fire. It’s been constant nitpicking (he’s an engineer) the house was a complete rehab; nothing wrong with it. He called me this morning complaining of a foul smell that it is unlivable. He’s got an ozone generator working. I was just there- all I smell is ozone. I’m making an appointment to see about duct cleaning and have picked up some ozonium. Any suggestions? I’ve been around many smelly places and have no idea what the issue is here or if he’s using this as ammo to get out of his lease. Suggestions please

[Matt Devincenzo]

Unless the smell is 1) identified as something specific e.g. gas, sewer gas in bathroom A etc 2) is a result of a problem with the house e.g. leaky pipe or faulty sewer trap then there's nothing to do. I'd simply say that unless he can point me to a specific location so I can investigate the cause then it is likely just environmental. 

[Kevin Sobilo]

@Pero Konjevich, I would simply suggest that they contact code enforcement if they feel the home is uninhabitable. Let the municipality deal with their nonsense and tell them there is nothing that needs to be done. 

[Account Closed]

We recently had a similar issue at a vacation rental we remodeled.

There was a wafting sewer smell that couldn't be anything other than "hint of poop."  Yuck.

After calling a plumber, he discovered the washing machine drain (recently added) didn't have a P Trap.

If you can access the crawlspace make sure all your drains have a P Trap and they are full of water.  Otherwise sewer gas can creep up and get into the house.  

If the tenant is looking to get out of his lease, you should encourage him to go.  Get a new tenant and say bye to the headache!

[Jerry W.]

@Pero Konjevich, first I would make sure that you have a working carbon monoxide detector in the house, and upgrade it the kind that also checks for other gasses.  Just doing that might detect if something is there, but most likely it will just provide protection for you.  I would also at least have a plumber run over and do a check.  Even if he finds nothing have him document that in the bill to also cover yourself.  Sometimes they actually find something.  If your tenant really smells something it deserves to be checked out.  If your tenant is just being a jerk and you check it out it takes away a lot his ammo to break the lease.  Some people are also very sensitive to certain odors or chemicals.  What other people don't notice can be pretty bad for my wife.  So, make a good faith effort to check it out either way.  If it isn't resolved then unless there is a big reason not to, release him from the lease.  I would do it in writing to protect yourself.  Give a period of time like 30 days or 60 days to cancel the lease, then if not done it will remain in effect.  Just my thoughts.  Best of luck either way.

Oh I almost forgot.  I did have on case where the city wastewater plant (sewer plant) would do something that made the neighborhood smell for a few hours then go away.  That smell would linger for about 12 more hours inside the house after the smell went away outside.  Just a thought.

[Scott Mac]

Quote from @Pero Konjevich:

I recently rented out a house to a couple that lost their house due to fire. It’s been constant nitpicking (he’s an engineer) the house was a complete rehab; nothing wrong with it. He called me this morning complaining of a foul smell that it is unlivable. He’s got an ozone generator working. I was just there- all I smell is ozone. I’m making an appointment to see about duct cleaning and have picked up some ozonium. Any suggestions? I’ve been around many smelly places and have no idea what the issue is here or if he’s using this as ammo to get out of his lease. Suggestions please

 Ozone generators should never be run with people or pets inside.

They are harmful to all living life.

Look it up on the internet.

[Jeff Stempke]

Yikes!  I don't know what Chicago is like, but in California you can get taken advantage of with habitability lawsuits that are ridiculous.  

[Jonathan Klemm]

Hey @Pero Konjevich - I actually had a similar issue with a condo that I have on the North side of Chicago...so you are not alone.

I GUESS different people have different smell sensitivities because I felt the same way you did...I didn't smell anything.  I was going to do a SERIOUS OZONE treatment but then just opted to do duct cleaning and the complaining stopped after that.

I'd make some attempts like duct cleaning to help and then say it is what it is...

Also, has the tenant identified any specific area where the odor is coming from?

[Pero Konjevich]

Quote from @Scott Mac:

Quote from @Pero Konjevich:

I recently rented out a house to a couple that lost their house due to fire. It’s been constant nitpicking (he’s an engineer) the house was a complete rehab; nothing wrong with it. He called me this morning complaining of a foul smell that it is unlivable. He’s got an ozone generator working. I was just there- all I smell is ozone. I’m making an appointment to see about duct cleaning and have picked up some ozonium. Any suggestions? I’ve been around many smelly places and have no idea what the issue is here or if he’s using this as ammo to get out of his lease. Suggestions please

 Ozone generators should never be run with people or pets inside.

They are harmful to all living life.

Look it up on the internet.

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