Opinion/Advice on Property Maintenance

[define]

Hi,

I am based in Saskatchewan and writing to seek initial consultation on property maintenance of acreage house being rented to tenants. I have following queries:

1. If the tenant has lived in the house for just 2-4 months, is it very likely that there will not be
potential damages to the property except normal wear and tear, which will also be rare and the house is very likely to be exactly in the same condition the way it was prior to renting?

2. If the tenant has lived in the house for just 2-4 months, is it very likely that the basement (though not used by the tenant and no one lives there) will not have major issues of maintenance including moisture accumulation that would need dehumidification daily?

3. Is it true that running two dehumidifiers every day would most probably be required in case of emergency flood situation only if there's flood in the basement?

4. Is using dehumidifier in the basement optional or is it mandatory to be used? Can the basement be still fine if dehumidifier is not used and especially when no one lives in the basement?

5. If dehumidifier is to be used, running it just once or twice a month is fine to get rid of any moisture problem if there is any? Or is it required to be run every day?

6. Under what circumstances, do you consider the basement to be in serious condition or emergency for moisture related issues that would require immediate attention?

7. How basement can be checked to monitor moisture if there's any app?

8. How frequently regular house inspection should be conducted? How frequently house needs to be maintained? How frequently the house needs to be inspected for damage?

Thanks & Regards!

 

[scylla]

Hi,

I am based in Saskatchewan and writing to seek initial consultation on property maintenance of acreage house being rented to tenants. I have following queries:

1. If the tenant has lived in the house for just 2-4 months, is it very likely that there will not be
potential damages to the property except normal wear and tear, which will also be rare and the house is very likely to be exactly in the same condition the way it was prior to renting?

2. If the tenant has lived in the house for just 2-4 months, is it very likely that the basement (though not used by the tenant and no one lives there) will not have major issues of maintenance including moisture accumulation that would need dehumidification daily?

3. Is it true that running two dehumidifiers every day would most probably be required in case of emergency flood situation only if there's flood in the basement?

4. Is using dehumidifier in the basement optional or is it mandatory to be used? Can the basement be still fine if dehumidifier is not used and especially when no one lives in the basement?

5. If dehumidifier is to be used, running it just once or twice a month is fine to get rid of any moisture problem if there is any? Or is it required to be run every day?

6. Under what circumstances, do you consider the basement to be in serious condition or emergency for moisture related issues that would require immediate attention?

7. How basement can be checked to monitor moisture if there's any app?

8. How frequently regular house inspection should be conducted? How frequently house needs to be maintained? How frequently the house needs to be inspected for damage?

Thanks & Regards!

I can only help you with the dehumidifier question. If one is needed and how often it has to be run depends on a variety of factors such as they age of the house, foundation condition, type of soil, and many other factors. It's really impossible to generalize. In some cases it is necessary to run the dehumidifier constantly. I grew up in a house like that (where the dehumidifier had to be run all of the time) and this isn't uncommon in Canada. It doesn't matter if someone is living in the basement or not. Whether someone is living in the basement or not is irrelevant. If a dehumidifier is needed and isn't run regularly, this can cause long term and serious damage to the house.

Running two dehumidifiers may be necessary if the house is either large or has significant moisture issues.

I've personally never heard of someone running a dehumidifier due to a flood. If there is a flood, then the insurance company usually brings in those huge and loud fans to dry the house out. A humidifier is more for home maintenance and not to deal with emergencies.

 

[scylla]

Hi,

I am based in Saskatchewan and writing to seek initial consultation on property maintenance of acreage house being rented to tenants. I have following queries:

1. If the tenant has lived in the house for just 2-4 months, is it very likely that there will not be
potential damages to the property except normal wear and tear, which will also be rare and the house is very likely to be exactly in the same condition the way it was prior to renting?

2. If the tenant has lived in the house for just 2-4 months, is it very likely that the basement (though not used by the tenant and no one lives there) will not have major issues of maintenance including moisture accumulation that would need dehumidification daily?

3. Is it true that running two dehumidifiers every day would most probably be required in case of emergency flood situation only if there's flood in the basement?

4. Is using dehumidifier in the basement optional or is it mandatory to be used? Can the basement be still fine if dehumidifier is not used and especially when no one lives in the basement?

5. If dehumidifier is to be used, running it just once or twice a month is fine to get rid of any moisture problem if there is any? Or is it required to be run every day?

6. Under what circumstances, do you consider the basement to be in serious condition or emergency for moisture related issues that would require immediate attention?

7. How basement can be checked to monitor moisture if there's any app?

8. How frequently regular house inspection should be conducted? How frequently house needs to be maintained? How frequently the house needs to be inspected for damage?

Thanks & Regards!

Sorry, one more comment to add to the above. Generally speaking, if a dehumidifier is needed, then it's usually needed more during the spring and summer months than in winter. During winter the heat is on and this reduces the need for the dehumidifier. However as soon as the heat goes off, the moisture level goes way up. So there would likely be more of a need to run one now on a daily basis then let's say in March or Feb.

 

[steaky]

Btw, who pays for the electricity that the dehumidifier being used?

 

[armoured]

Sorry, one more comment to add to the above. Generally speaking, if a dehumidifier is needed, then it's usually needed more during the spring and summer months than in winter. During winter the heat is on and this reduces the need for the dehumidifier.

This is a rather geeky "well, actually" for which I apologize, but here we go:

It's not so much that the heat is on - the issue is that cold outdoor air physically cannot hold much moisture. So whatever air gets in the house carries very little moisture with it, and when heated it's still relatively low humidity. (Which is why in some climates and houses you might need to add water to indoor air to be comfortable). Mind though this is really noticeable in negative temperatures.

[There are two separate issues with humidity/water in winter in some Canadian houses - some houses get sealed for energy/insulation purposes and actually don't have enough exchange of outside air, and moisture gets trapped. Humans living in houses generate a lot of moisture (showers, cooking, even breathing). And if you see moisture at some windows, that's usually poor insulation like single pane windows and/or air getting in - since the indoor air has more moisture than outdoors, water from the indoor air can condense on window panes.]

[/actually]