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ORIGINAL: So my wife and I moved to North Carolina two years and 3 months ago. We couldn't sell our house in Virginia but we were fortunate enough to rent it out. We had a family sign a 2 years lease and all went well. We had it rented out through the agent who sold it to us in 2011. Aside from the once in a while problem everything was fine. They then signed an additional 2 year extension but then less than a month later we found out they were going to back out because they found mold in the house and it was making their daughter sick. We found out they discovered the mold six months beforehand and never said anything until late July of this year. Mainly the mold is next to the fireplace (due to a presumably leaky chimney) and in the basement.
The family ended up having to purchase another house that was newer and free from mold. They looked feverishly to find another place but couldn't find another place that was mold-free so they ended up having to purchase another. My father and I intend to go up to the house to clean it once they vacate, but the soon-to-be ex tenant is really laying it on thick about how most of their stuff will have to be pitched, etc. I think he is trying to suggest that he wants compensation for his stuff, etc.
The thing is, my wife and I lived in that house for five years and we never had any problem with mold. I'm kind of worried we could get sued for this. I'm also worried that we may never be able to sell the place. My realtor (who handled the lease for the house) suggested the tenant is exaggerating and the mold isn't that bad, and is telling me I need to hire an expert to test for mold and that it can be cleaned myself (i've done it before at my parents' house). But I guess with my Anxiety, ADHD and Asperger's, i'm worrying too much about the future. Has anybody had a problem with mold? It sucks having a house 4 hours away that we are trying to sell. We're open to renting it out again but fear that mold could come back. Part of me wishes if I can't sell it to just let it foreclose and save the difference and buy a house when i'm ready. I'm just at a loss of what to do and this is really eating me up inside. I am having trouble functioning over this. I get sick to my stomach. I know I can't do anything about it here but it just eats at me. Please, if anyone can have any suggestions, I'm open to them. Thank you in advance.
Update: After going back and forth with the tenant, the realtor and I agreed to have a mold inspector come into the house who is apparently very good. That happened two weeks ago and to my surprise, the mold inspector came back and said he could find no signs of mold. That admittedly made me feel better, as well as the realtor, because we were talking short sale for the house. We didn't have the air test done because the tenant was still there and the mold inspector says he wanted to do it in an empty house. Inspector called me telling me I shouldn't worry about mold coming up in the air test (he's experienced with 30 years of doing this and certified). Inspector did say the tenant was just in disbelief and was convinced that the problem is mold, despite him saying otherwise. Mold inspector kept reiterating that the leak next to the fireplace was not mold, that the basement was bone dry,
My theory on this is that the soon to be former tenant is just up in arms. He's told me how he's basically starting over at 53, and how he's had to pitch everything and medical bills, and recently he's mentioned the deaths of two relatively young animals.
Former tenant is closing on a new house this week and told me "from what i've read, my family and I should be better in the new environment". Tenant still claims all of their problems were caused by mold and isn't budging on that. He's told me doctors are blaming mold on his daughter's health issues and that he and his mother were starting to get sick (but his wife has been fine). He's been reiterating that. Truly, I feel bad for him, but i'm beginning to wonder how delusional he is, or that he is truly sick and my inspector was wrong. That's been my worry.
Inspector did give me a short list of things needing fixed, such as the ductwork needing cleaning, and that the gutters need cleaned, and that the roof plumbing vents are old and need replaced. Other than that the inspector said the house is in great shape. Still awaiting an air test but the mold inspector has said he believes it should come back perfectly fine. Inspector did say a lot how the tenant and his mother were just upset and up in arms over the fact he couldn't find mold. Part of my other worry is the air test coming back for mold. Inspector also suggested it could be in the car, or at the school, but it's not in the house and the inspector held firm with that.
After the inspection found no mold, Realtor says now it should sell with no issues (although we can borrow up to $20k to pay the difference if we really had to). Prior to this, the realtor and I were discussing the potential for a short sale. The problem with short selling is the fact that it's a USDA loan and I would've been on the hook for the difference in some way either way. Next weekend, Father and I are going up to fix the house and make it sale ready (have the ducts cleaned, the roof and gutters fixed, and also fix the attic stairs (spring broke or something).
So with all of this, i'm still nervous for many reasons. Such as the fact that we're paying for an empty house and worried that we may exhaust our savings. Part of me is worried the tenant may come after me. Another part of me is the tenant may go around telling people to avoid the place. Another worry is that the air test could come back positive for mold. If all of you could please give me some guidance and insight, i'd royally appreciate. This is the best place I could find to discuss my issues, aside from my therapist. Thank you all in advance!
The family ended up having to purchase another house that was newer and free from mold. They looked feverishly to find another place but couldn't find another place that was mold-free so they ended up having to purchase another. My father and I intend to go up to the house to clean it once they vacate, but the soon-to-be ex tenant is really laying it on thick about how most of their stuff will have to be pitched, etc. I think he is trying to suggest that he wants compensation for his stuff, etc.
The thing is, my wife and I lived in that house for five years and we never had any problem with mold. I'm kind of worried we could get sued for this. I'm also worried that we may never be able to sell the place. My realtor (who handled the lease for the house) suggested the tenant is exaggerating and the mold isn't that bad, and is telling me I need to hire an expert to test for mold and that it can be cleaned myself (i've done it before at my parents' house). But I guess with my Anxiety, ADHD and Asperger's, i'm worrying too much about the future. Has anybody had a problem with mold? It sucks having a house 4 hours away that we are trying to sell. We're open to renting it out again but fear that mold could come back. Part of me wishes if I can't sell it to just let it foreclose and save the difference and buy a house when i'm ready. I'm just at a loss of what to do and this is really eating me up inside. I am having trouble functioning over this. I get sick to my stomach. I know I can't do anything about it here but it just eats at me. Please, if anyone can have any suggestions, I'm open to them. Thank you in advance.
Update: After going back and forth with the tenant, the realtor and I agreed to have a mold inspector come into the house who is apparently very good. That happened two weeks ago and to my surprise, the mold inspector came back and said he could find no signs of mold. That admittedly made me feel better, as well as the realtor, because we were talking short sale for the house. We didn't have the air test done because the tenant was still there and the mold inspector says he wanted to do it in an empty house. Inspector called me telling me I shouldn't worry about mold coming up in the air test (he's experienced with 30 years of doing this and certified). Inspector did say the tenant was just in disbelief and was convinced that the problem is mold, despite him saying otherwise. Mold inspector kept reiterating that the leak next to the fireplace was not mold, that the basement was bone dry,
My theory on this is that the soon to be former tenant is just up in arms. He's told me how he's basically starting over at 53, and how he's had to pitch everything and medical bills, and recently he's mentioned the deaths of two relatively young animals.
Former tenant is closing on a new house this week and told me "from what i've read, my family and I should be better in the new environment". Tenant still claims all of their problems were caused by mold and isn't budging on that. He's told me doctors are blaming mold on his daughter's health issues and that he and his mother were starting to get sick (but his wife has been fine). He's been reiterating that. Truly, I feel bad for him, but i'm beginning to wonder how delusional he is, or that he is truly sick and my inspector was wrong. That's been my worry.
Inspector did give me a short list of things needing fixed, such as the ductwork needing cleaning, and that the gutters need cleaned, and that the roof plumbing vents are old and need replaced. Other than that the inspector said the house is in great shape. Still awaiting an air test but the mold inspector has said he believes it should come back perfectly fine. Inspector did say a lot how the tenant and his mother were just upset and up in arms over the fact he couldn't find mold. Part of my other worry is the air test coming back for mold. Inspector also suggested it could be in the car, or at the school, but it's not in the house and the inspector held firm with that.
After the inspection found no mold, Realtor says now it should sell with no issues (although we can borrow up to $20k to pay the difference if we really had to). Prior to this, the realtor and I were discussing the potential for a short sale. The problem with short selling is the fact that it's a USDA loan and I would've been on the hook for the difference in some way either way. Next weekend, Father and I are going up to fix the house and make it sale ready (have the ducts cleaned, the roof and gutters fixed, and also fix the attic stairs (spring broke or something).
So with all of this, i'm still nervous for many reasons. Such as the fact that we're paying for an empty house and worried that we may exhaust our savings. Part of me is worried the tenant may come after me. Another part of me is the tenant may go around telling people to avoid the place. Another worry is that the air test could come back positive for mold. If all of you could please give me some guidance and insight, i'd royally appreciate. This is the best place I could find to discuss my issues, aside from my therapist. Thank you all in advance!
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