Have you ever walked into your rental property and noticed a foul odor? If so, you will most likely find that the culprit is usually the carpet. Your initial thoughts might be that you need to get rid of the carpet, but this is not always the case.

Getting Rid of Surface Smells

In the event that odor is just a surface smell, the first thing that needs to be done is cover the entire affected area with baking soda and leave it overnight. The next step is to use your vacuum to get all of the remaining debris and baking soda off the carpet.

Spray And Dry

You can also use isopropyl alcohol, a fan, and a towel to get rid of carpet odors. First, locate the origin of the odor and do a test on a small, less visible patch of carpet to see how the alcohol will react. If it appears to be unaffected, pour or spray some of the cleaning alcohol onto the smelly area. Wait for a period of about 15 minutes before using a towel to soak up the excess liquid.

Mildew And Mold

When you come across this problem, you can usually be sure that excess moisture is the cause. Here in Florida, it can get very humid both outside and inside, so it might be a good idea to install a dehumidifier or at least provide a couple of portable ones for tenants to use. This will help remove humidity from the air and hopefully allow your carpets to stay dry. In the case of mold, it’s a good idea to get an expert to take a look at it, because the possibility of black mold poses a serious health risk and can result in major legal issues.

Should problems with the carpet persist, here are some further steps you can take.

You may be able to charge the tenants for the professional cleaning of the carpets, depending on your individual situation. The best option would be to give your tenant the details of the problem, with a time frame that they need to fix it by. If they do not comply with your instructions in a set period of time, you have the right to take the matter further.

At the end of the day, it is the responsibility of your tenants to ensure that your rental unit is kept in the best possible shape while they are living there, but you are responsible for keeping it habitable. If at any time you feel as though managing your property is becoming too much for you, it might be time to get help from a rental property management company. Specialized Property Management Tampa knows how to keep your property in good condition and can give you the peace of mind that you deserve. For more information or to get a quote, contact us online or call 813-548-3045.