Who provides dehumidifiers?

Quick (I hope) question: we moved and rented out the house. We used to have a dehumidifier in the basement but we took it to the new house. The tenants don't have one. Do we need to buy it because high humidity affects our basement or do they, because it affects their belongings stored there and, potentially, their health?

According to our broker's attorney there is no law requiring landlords to provide a dehumidifier if there is a basement (we are in Mass). The lease doesn't mention a dehumidifier.

The tenants wrote that they won't be able to afford it for a few weeks because of moving expenses, so it seems they are not refusing to do it outright. This makes me think of another alternative: we buy it now, they pay us in, let's say, 3 months.

Thanks!
Lev

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:49AM

Kevin Colwell

Real Estate Investor · South Portland, Maine

33 posts
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Icon_minipost Sep 02 '08, 10:14 PM

Lev,
The apartment that I was just living in was partially underground so there was a some dampness in the rooms. Needless to say we had a mold issue and the prop. mgmt company had us sign a mold addendum. We also had to purchase a dehumidifier to control the issue. So in regards to their health you may want to address the situation with an addendum to the lease in regards to possible mold. In my personal opinion in respect to purchasing a dehumidifier I would let them purchase it if it becomes a big enough priority. I would not want to worry about collecting any more funds from tennants then I have to. Hopefully you find something useful out of this :)

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:49AM

C. Burris

Homeowner · Shreveport, LA

52 posts
23 Influence

Icon_minipost Sep 03 '08, 08:06 AM

Consider the fact that you need one they don't. They will never buy it nor ever pay you back. If you need one for the basement to prevent mold in "your" property and to prevent tenants health do it now. Bolt it to the floor but do it. I see no reason to wait.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:49AM

Tom C

Real Estate Investor · Ohio

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Icon_minipost Sep 03 '08, 08:50 PM

If they are paying the electric bill, look for it to be turned off after the first month. Those are very expensive to run when you are on a tight budget.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:50AM

Sanjiv Neal

Real Estate Investor · Indianapolis, Indiana

186 posts
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Icon_minipost Sep 07 '08, 11:46 AM

I have a rental w/ the same problem, I left the dehumidifier there. The moisture will warp the doors/frams and cause more damage that you will be left with. Or it's up to you to have them pay for it for their health issue.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:52AM

Michael Shadow

Multi-family Investor · Bellefonte, Pennsylvania

1042 posts
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Icon_minipost Sep 07 '08, 07:37 PM

I provide them for my buildings with basements. Make sure it's noted as an appliance on the lease so they don't run off with it.

They would have the option of turning it off if they are paying the electric.

-Michael

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:52AM

Jessica Tam

77 posts

Icon_minipost Sep 08 '08, 03:51 AM

How big is the basement? We have a small dehumidifier that we use for the utility room and kitchen, and it is quite cheap to run (we had mold problems in the utility room) - it does need emptied very regularly though. Would the basement need one of those huge, mega powerful ones, or would a small one do the job?

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:52AM

Lev Bass

Real Estate Investor · Needham, Massachusetts

5 posts
23 Influence

Icon_minipost Sep 08 '08, 04:05 AM

The basement is large (colonial with an addition), so small unit won't do. One thing makes running it easier is that we have a french drain with 2 sump pumps there, so it won't need to be emptied manually.
The tenants wrote that they would get a dehumidifier in a few weeks. If they refused we would have bought it ourselves.
Thanks for the responses!
Lev

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:52AM