Check for the formation of black mold and if it's present damp or dry, treat it with mold killer.

Maybe I need my cleaner to light up outside, walk in with smokey clothes, and see if that sets it off.

Everything Ken said plus plaster walls, no insulation, higher electric bills, walls sweating when its humid in florida and the resident leaves front door open, damp smelly houses, Pealing paint, wood rot, old windows, crawl space under the home, bdrm and closet doors that don't close properly, electric locks that the old front door doesn't like as the door is not aligned correctly, Cyrstal knobs that fall off, old thermostats with 2 lines but my new thermostat needs 3 lines, critters in the fireplace....

Use a "tack" cloth between.

There was roughly 3 feet of clothes, trash, etc. piled in the entire house when we purchased it.

Sounds like maybe the egress window is the way to go if I want it to be a legal bed.I see in the code that it states that it can't be "below grade and damp".I was wondering if anyone knows if that means as long as I have a built in dehumidifier running, then it would be ok?

Old home basement aren't meant to be perfectly dry like a modern house, but you do want to keep them from being constantly "wet" as opposed to occasionally damp. 3.

For example:General-Filters (furnace, air conditioning, oven exhaust, refrigerator, and water)-Stove burner when the “eye” needs simple replacement-Batteries and remotes that service the premises-Fan and light pull strings-Smoke and carbon alarms testing and batteries-Ensuring appliances are properly plugged in, hooked up, and used-Removing dirt, debris, and lint in and from connection pipes (e.g. clothes dryer)-Tighten loose screws on all home functions (e.g. doors, hinges, handles, socket -Balancing off-balance appliances-Cable, internet, and phone jacks-Fire extinguishers-Systems operation (e.g. security, irrigation, HVAC)HVAC-Monthly A/C filter and drain line maintenance Electrical-Reset “tripped” GFI breakers-Light bulbs (throughout and at the end of the tenancy)-Blown fuses-Reset breakers in the outside and inside breaker boxes-Socket and plug outlet coversPlumbing-Unclog drains or toilets-Caulking around tubs and showers as needed-Gas pilot lighting-Leaky faucets and shower heads-Toilet flappers, handles, seats and seat lids, tank lid, and flush kit-Sink and tub stoppers-If septic tank present, use RID-X as directed on consumer box-Proper cleaning of garbage disposal-Loose faucets and sprayer heads and hoses-Faucet filters (i.e. aerator)-Open exterior plumbing clean out when necessary (e.g. sewage backup)Exterior-Routine lawn (and pool) maintenance-Adjusting sprinkler heads as necessary-On the last month of tenancy, tenant must perform required lawn maintenance no sooner than 2 days prior to vacate dateThere’s a lot to consider as a landlord.

Instead, they miss the cloth or aluminum wiring and poor circuit allocation and instead show you with their fancy plug that "polarity is reversed"; or the always arbitrary "the roof likely only has 5 more years left max" because they see a 3-tab shingle from the ground and completely miss hail/wind damage on a newer architectural shingle citing its "lifetime warranty".

I'm sure when you get there to do your inspection you'll find that he left his keys on the kitchen counter, took most of his clothes and left behind nothing but trash and old furniture.