All Forum Posts by: Jim Adrian

If you could get that metal fascia off to see better what is going on.   If the patio roof is concrete on (on the left in the pic, hard to see/tell)  you could put a membrane roof down, like tpo or pvc. Turn up the membrane under the metal fascia trim.    

I don't see any need to letting the landlord have access to this.  If you didn't have internet what would he do?  I think the landlord wants to spot check to see if you are abusing the equipment from time to time.  Hooking it up the thermostat to the internet is a "convenience" and not "need".   

You should have written down your requirements / tenant qualifications before you posted the house.   After this, you start with the first one in until its disqualified.    Creating a point system will help you as well.    Ideas... Where they on time to the appt?  Did they give proper notice to current landlord?  Is there defining items you can pull from the credit report? Like score over "some number".   Debt less than "some number".   

Consider this a complete gut job and you will need to hire an architect for drawings etc. This could be messy for electrical and water metering if you want to do individual metering.   

@Brian Phillips

I would start with an architect for the project.   Let the architect get the engineers needed for the project.   From your list, its clear you will need Mechanical and Electrical engineers. You could use 10% (6 to 15%) of the construction cost to get a back of a napkin calculation.  This will give you a rough idea.

@Jeff S. Without a floor drain the dehumidifier will shut off when bucket is full of water. This could be every 12 -18 hrs.  If the tenant never empties it then the problem will never be solved. 

@Kat Robertson

So this is a horizontal flue chase?  If there is nothing in it, I would consider removing it. You still need to verify and understand how this supported. You need to have someone with more technical knowledge to look at this in my opinion. 

@Jeff S. If the house is old, then this is a common problem. The foundations didn't have any dampproofing to stop any moisture vapors from entering.  I have an old rental and it smells old and smells a little, some is from the old wood (unfinished basement).    Running a humidifier will help solve the problem.  If you decide to get one,  attach a hose to the tank and run it to the floor drain.  Then run the unit 24 hrs or put it on a timer for like 15 hrs or so.  Air movement is also key to keep mold from forming.   The other approach you can take, tell the tenant you to provide one if they want.  If you add the humidifier, add it to the lease to what is owner furnished.  When it walks away you can fine them for it. 

Call the police dept and they can answer the question best.  Never hurts to put up signs staying something like "area under video camera surveillance".   Only use the video when there is an issue. I wouldn't waste time watching it and trying to bust someone.   Not worth the effort. 

Tile edging.   It must be installed under the tile.  Pretty easy to work with.  Here is a link for people not familiar with this.  You should leave a small joint to grout full. 

https://www.homedepot.com/s/tile%2520edging?NCNI-5