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Is it unheard of to have a rental property professionally inspected prior to habitation? We hope to only be in a rental for a year (so we can become familiar with the lay of the land) so this may be a bit overdone.
Thanks
Not at all. Rental inspections can identify and protect you from any damages or problems that existed prior to your moving in, and thus, protect you from problems such as loss of security deposit.
Also, items such as water and air quality within the rental can be determined with proper testing procedures prior to relocating.
Not at all. Rental inspections can identify and protect you from any damages or problems that existed prior to your moving in, and thus, protect you from problems such as loss of security deposit.
Also, items such as water and air quality within the rental can be determined with proper testing procedures prior to relocating.
Great to know.
Is asbestos and lead paint very prevalent up there?
Arrrrrgghhhh the post that I posted this morning didn't stick I'll keep this one shorter...
Any home built pre-1978 is going to be suspect for lead paint, however, it's my understanding that as long as the paint is covered with non-lead paint, the problem is encapsulated. The problem isn't so much with peeling and chipping paint (although that is part of the problem) but in the minute dust that becomes airborn with friction (such as opening and closing doors, windows, etc).
We see asbestos in older houses, both as siding, and as flooring, usually in older kitchens. As with lead paint, keeping it covered is preferrable for many people. Removing both lead paint and asbestos is a specialty, as the dust is considered hazardous...
ah? so the asbestos shingles that cover our house -but are under the aluminum siding are fine then. What about along the front porch (it's an enclosed porch, but what used to be the front exterior of the house, is now a wall of the porch) - it's not got aluminum siding and you can see the old shingles it used to have. It is painted, though.
And all the crappy painted woodwork (that I know perfectly well is lead in the lower couple of layers) that's peeling.. if we paint over it, it will be fine???? wow, that would be great! I've been a bit worried about it. Even though this is MD, my house was built in 1880 and much original stuff (like the windows) is still there -including lead paint. with no kids, we really didn't care about it and the cats aren't stupid enough to eat paint chips.
ah? so the asbestos shingles that cover our house -but are under the aluminum siding are fine then. What about along the front porch (it's an enclosed porch, but what used to be the front exterior of the house, is now a wall of the porch) - it's not got aluminum siding and you can see the old shingles it used to have. It is painted, though.
And all the crappy painted woodwork (that I know perfectly well is lead in the lower couple of layers) that's peeling.. if we paint over it, it will be fine???? wow, that would be great! I've been a bit worried about it. Even though this is MD, my house was built in 1880 and much original stuff (like the windows) is still there -including lead paint. with no kids, we really didn't care about it and the cats aren't stupid enough to eat paint chips.
The asbestos siding, which is exposed, should not give you any problems as long as it stays secure. Asbestos was used as a bonding agent in this type of siding. It's use in the siding is basically the same as horse hair located in old plaster. The fibers give the cement in the siding strength. Should the siding become damaged or broken, then the possibility of asbestos exposure increases. Just remember, as Val mentioned, the asbestos is encapsulated within the siding. Just don't let hubby take a saw to one of them......dust city!
When it comes to lead paint. It safe as long as it is not exposed. As you mentioned, don't eat the paint chips. And, be careful when sanding those chips out for repainting. Proper ventilation and a good quality breathing mask or respirator should be used. But, in all respects, please consider a professional when having to deal with these hazardous materials. Removal is one problem. Proper disposal of these materials is quite another.
Coffee, don't know if you have pets or not, but that can be a problem when looking for rental property. If you do have, check Craigslist which indicates clearly when pets are allowed and seems to have more than the NNREN.
Coffee, don't know if you have pets or not, but that can be a problem when looking for rental property. If you do have, check Craigslist which indicates clearly when pets are allowed and seems to have more than the NNREN.
Thanks for the heads up. Our cat would be a little upset if we left her behind.
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