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How to check an apartment for damp/mold issues if I'm viewing it in the summer?

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Matt_90
Joined:
19.04.2021
Posts: 2182
Topic Starter
02.01.2025 13:52
I'm currently looking at a few rental apartments and planning to go to viewings this week. Since it's the middle of summer and pretty dry outside, I'm worried it might be hard to spot hidden dampness or mold problems. Are there any specific red flags I should look out for during summer viewings? I've heard landlords sometimes paint over issues right before putting a place on the market, so any practical tips would be hugely appreciated.
18 replies in this topic
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forum_expert
Joined:
01.10.2022
Posts: 2350
25.01.2025 03:44
Bring your nose! Honestly, even if it's dry, a musty or earthy smell is the biggest giveaway of hidden moisture issues.
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Nico_N
Joined:
27.10.2019
Posts: 1327
02.02.2025 23:16
In reply to a previous post
Totally agree with the smell test. Landlords can paint over stains easily, but getting rid of that damp smell is almost impossible.
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Denis_P
Joined:
10.10.2024
Posts: 2117
01.03.2025 15:41
Check behind the big furniture if there is any, and definitely look inside built-in closets and under the kitchen sink.
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Iggy_R
Joined:
25.01.2023
Posts: 1770
18.04.2025 04:25
Check the windows too. Look for black silicone sealant or rubber seals around the glass-that's usually where condensation hits first in winter.
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Max_85
Joined:
17.04.2021
Posts: 2200
28.04.2025 05:59
What about using a cheap moisture meter? Has anyone tried bringing one to a viewing?
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Chris_K
Joined:
18.06.2023
Posts: 1051
09.05.2025 03:01
In reply to a previous post
I brought a non-contact moisture meter to my last apartment viewing and the landlord looked at me like I was crazy, but it saved me from a huge mistake!
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Selector
Joined:
24.12.2022
Posts: 120
08.06.2025 22:15
Look closely at the baseboards near exterior walls. If they are slightly warped or peeling, water has definitely been getting in there.
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SomeoneSomewhere
Joined:
22.06.2021
Posts: 823
29.08.2025 22:21
Also, check the corners of the ceilings on the top floor, or bottom floor if it's a basement flat. Summer masks a lot, but water stains usually leave a faint yellow ring.
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MrNobody
Joined:
09.11.2023
Posts: 1973
08.10.2025 12:27
In reply to a previous post
Good point about top and bottom floors. Basements are notorious for this.
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watcher_x
Joined:
12.09.2020
Posts: 387
16.10.2025 16:49
Ask the landlord directly about the ventilation system. If they get defensive or vague, walk away.
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Kate_J
Joined:
04.10.2022
Posts: 1592
28.10.2025 18:26
Sometimes you can spot fresh paint patches on the walls if you look at them at an angle with your phone's flashlight. A different sheen is a dead giveaway.
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new_here
Joined:
05.09.2020
Posts: 1803
09.11.2025 22:44
In reply to a previous post
That flashlight trick is gold. I used it last week and found a massive patched-up leak area behind where a couch used to be.
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Yana_P
Joined:
21.03.2024
Posts: 1090
22.11.2025 11:49
Check the bathroom grout carefully. If it's brand new white grout in an otherwise older apartment, they probably just re-grouted over black mold.
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Lara_N
Joined:
23.07.2023
Posts: 808
04.12.2025 05:01
Don't forget to check the outside of the building around your potential windows. Peeling brickwork or overflowing gutters mean trouble inside.
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WhiteCrow
Joined:
02.03.2023
Posts: 1433
10.12.2025 19:08
Are mold issues really that common in the summer? I thought it only happens in winter.
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forum_expert
Joined:
12.08.2021
Posts: 1299
01.03.2026 07:09
In reply to a previous post
It happens year-round if there's a structural leak, like a bad roof or leaky plumbing, regardless of the season.
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watcher_x
Joined:
04.03.2021
Posts: 2147
03.03.2026 08:55
Try to talk to one of the neighbors in the hallway if you bump into them. They will usually tell you the absolute truth about the building's problems.
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regular_user
Joined:
25.12.2021
Posts: 976
23.03.2026 12:21
Thanks for all these tips everyone, I'm definitely bringing a flashlight and checking the window seals closely tomorrow!

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