I can finally see daylight to get my longest vacancy rented. Application approved. Tenant has all rent and security deposit. Has good references. He wants to move in as soon as possible as soon as he can line up people to help him move.

As usual, I can't be 100% sure it is rented, until paperwork is all signed, money in hand and keys given. However I am feeling good about it.

I am showing both my other available units tomorrow afternoon to one person for each.

I have someone who is potentially very interested in the larger of the apartments where I finally got the prior tenant evicted after she didn't pay rent for 3 1/2 months. I got a judgement in court for all I was asking for but of course, doubt I will collect. At least other landlords will be warned although she got a different place before I was able to get the eviction filed and closed.

This new interested person in the large apartment, has two cats and has had a problem getting a place that will allow them. She was honest right up front and asked if I accepted them. I do allow cats but no dogs (unless forced to, as a service/therapy animal). She asked me to email her an application and she will fill it out and give it to me at the showing tomorrow. She passed my initial background check on the state public court records site which I check now, before I take time to show a potential tenant. Most will not pass that first check.

I also have someone looking at the apartment that I initially thought would rent quickly with all the interest at first. It is the only building I have central air in and the rent was only $50 more than the one bedroom that had no central air and was in a worse area (not bad but not great).

Current tenant at this apartment is moving out tomorrow and cleaning it, to make it ready to move in as soon as I find and approve a new tenant. She paid rent for all of April so I will only refund some of it, if I get a new tenant who actually moves in, during this month. I don't double dip and it is illegal in Wisconsin anyway, I believe. Tenant moving out is in her 80s and went to senior housing. Tenant who is looking at it, is in her 70s and her daughter will be coming with her. We will see if they like it.

Just heard back from the tenant. He was wondering if he could start moving in on Friday afternoon as his family can help him move then.

Well, with your name, of course you take kitties. ;)

Thanks Busy and Wilma and LOL Wilma on my name being a reason to have cats.

Well as usual, it is one step forward and two steps back.

Good News, Bad News, Good News.

The good news is that the tenant signed all the paperwork, gave the first month's rent and security deposit yesterday and started moving in.

The bad news is that his brother came to help him and called me, saying there was mold along the top of the tub/shower surround. There had been a leak downstairs in two apartments under this one several months ago, but it was determined to be the shower pipe leaking in one of the downstairs units. Both tenants told me that they thought they could hear water dripping upstairs from time to time. One of them was the one that seems to have mental issues so didn't really take him too seriously. Still I had the plumber check upstairs at that time and he also checked it out from one of the apartments downstairs, looking up at the plumbing after he dealt with the leak downstairs. He could not see any leaks coming from upstairs. He asked both tenants downstairs to let him know if either of them saw or heard water running and then he turned on the tub, shower, sink and flushed toilet upstairs. Neither saw anything so we thought it was the water dripping into one or both downstairs apartments they were hearing before and not from upstairs. It had also dripped down into the basement before and they may have been hearing that.

The tenant moved some things in and is still wanting to move in but waiting to actually move in himself until we find out if it is mold and if so, the time frame to get rid of it. He has asthma so mold could be a big problem for him. I usually hire my handyman to deal with mold if there is an issue, once the source of the moisture is fixed. I plan to check it out this weekend to see if I looks like mold or mildew, etc.

Tenant's sister in law was with him but did not look at the walls, only the set up of the apartment. The tenant is vision impaired and legally blind. He can only see a couple feet ahead. I have to admit that after the apartment had set vacant for 4 months, I did not do a recent check of everything. A plumber had installed a new bathroom fan 2-3 months ago because I noticed it was rattling loud. He normally mentions things to me if he sees other issues. I had someone clean the apartment a few weeks ago. She never mentioned anything to me and I am sure she cleaned the walls in there and said nothing. I did not actively look close at the walls after all these months as nothing made me think there was an issue. I just popped in to show it a very few times. The weird part is that it is on the opposite shower wall from the shower head/faucet area. Behind that possibly moldy wall, is the wall of the hallway and not in the apartment itself. The moisture would have to be in the wall in the hallway and I have never seen moisture or dampness out there. I am thinking the hallway would be an easier way to get access, than tearing out the shower surround and wall, if the moisture is coming from that side and access needs to be done.

I have a call in to my plumbing company to set up an appt for next week since they are usually several days behind. I will check it out this weekend and see if there are signs of moisture or a leak that needs to be dealt with, before the plumber actually comes out.

The second good news is that I showed another apartment to someone and it is hopeful. She came prepared which does not usually happen around here. She asked for the application to be emailed to her, filled it out and brought it with her to the showing. She also had the vet bills to show her cats were fixed and had all their shots (as I allow cats). She also brought copies of her paychecks and she makes 3x the rent. That is also unusual around here.

Checking out her application today so hopefully she will be approved. If so, that would only leave one more apartment to get rented and give me extra funds to pay for this possible mold issue.

That is not mold. It is mildew. The brother cannot prove otherwise and needs to stay out of the home inspection business unless he is licensed to do so.

In the meantime. Have it tested and remediate at once if necessary, to allow the tenant complete the move.