Hi,
I'm moving and have been healthier this year (I didn't learn until I moved into my last apartment that the tenants downstairs from me smoked). Then there was the move that lasted two days because the apartment had black mold. What kinds of things should I be looking for/asking when I look for a new place to live? Do you know if there are any resources for this?
Thanks,
Angel
I can tell you from personal experience that all the above suggestions are a good idea. I bought a house about 10 years ago only to learn after I purchased it that it was a lemon. I didn't get it inspected because I was trying to save money, and then I learned the basement had a history of flooding even though the previous owners lied and said the basement didn't flood. Of coure you know that water in the basement = molds that we asthmatics can be allergic too. Thankfully I was able to sell the house when the market was still doing well, even with water in the basement.
I think it's important that you be very patient when you are buying a house, or moving into a new home, and not just purchase the first one that looks good. Another good option is to use your sniffer: can you smell mold? dust? If so, could the problem be remidied with new carpet and paint? If so, would you be able to afford the repairs? When you have asthma, you have to go the extra mile other "normal" people don't have to. Does the home have a Michigan basement (1/2 sand).
I suppose you'll also want to note your allergies. What kind of trees are in the area? Are there factories that pollute that might bother your asthma? Is the home close to another home where there might be smokers as you mention above?
You're really not going to find the perfect home that is allergy and asthma trigger free, yet it's important to find a home that at least you can live in.
On a personal level, I would contact your city and see if they have an apartment inspector service. My city does, and you can pay a small fee (I think it's something like $50-$100, depending on how big the apartment is here) to have a person who's properly trained in building and renter's codes to make sure that everything is up to code for you. In most cities, this includes making sure that there's no mold, dry rot, etc, and that everything is in good repair. Also, it gives you a document for your protection if you, say, choose to move into an apartment with a dent in the wall: Your landlord can't try to say that you caused the dent and have to pay.
When I move to a new place, here are questions that I'm sure to ask:
1) Is smoking allowed here?
2) Are pets allowed?
3) Is there carpet?
4) Have you had any leaks or water pipe problems lately? (either can tip you off to the risk of mould)
5) When was the roof last redone? (anything longer than 15 years, and you're risking leaks unless the property manager is a stickler for maintenance)
6) How old is this building? (older = more dust, possibly more mold, and the possibility of asbestos since where I live, people aren't required to tear it out if it's already there; they're just required to not build with it and close off areas that have exposed, damaged asbestos... this may be different where you live).
7) Why did the previous resident leave?
Also keep an eye out when you're touring for stuff like superficial paint jobs, loose molding, old windows in a freshly-redone apartment, patchy paint, and anything else that looks like the apartment manager was trying to make the place look good on the cheap. That suggests they may cut corners regularly.
Hi!
Thanks a lot. I didn't know that I could get the apartment inspected (and that isn't very expensive at all for all the grief in could save me).
Those are a lot of really good suggestions. I know this always works out, but the looking is always interesting
.
Angel
And, of course, it goes without saying that if the landlord refuses your right to inspect the rental property as you see fit, you should probably walk: In my experience, landlord only refuses an inspection if they have something to hide.
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Thanks for all of the thoughts! Sorry I didn't write back sooner...I've been packing (and had to go and ask for inhalers). I guess my lungs don't like dust even if I'm not supposed to be allergic to it.
Angel