I'd love to hear what you have done either DIY or on a budget to make these types of spaces a bit more welcoming than just a dark, damp basement.

It costs you rather than makes money for you.It is no more meaningful than saying the clothes on your back are liabilities.

The significant other and me both enjoy cool, overcast/damp weather.Good business climate.

No kids, less spending on clothing, electronics, and furniture.

Furniture, clothing and a lot of personal effects.He claims that he has 30 days to get everything out and that we are obligated to store it for him.

The laminate is very pretty, imitation Brazilian cherry wood.This is a high end rental so we haven't had any issues with tenants beating it up beyond this so I'd rather fix it than replace the entire floor or try to find some matching laminate to replace the damaged areas.So far I've tried putty, Old English scratch dye (liquid), filler crayons, and an iron and damp rag (for the dent).

I don't spend much on clothing or cars.

It's not from a former smoker, and it doesn't smell damp. 

Perhaps this is a cultural difference, but it seems I have my arm in a mangle and I'm not even sure its where I want to be washing my clothes :/.And I am having real trouble believing a man would be asked to supply a personal reference from his wife.

It's old cloth-bound wiring, I'd guess from when the house was built in the 1920's.