Should I be worried about an apartment buildings smell?
Get up close to the actual furniture and smell it. If the smell of the furniture is significantly stronger than the general smell of the apartment, it’s the most likely source, and implies that it’s the people and their habits that have caused the problem. With no carpet in the place, if these are soft material smells, they’ll go away with the tenants and a little air. Do the same for the walls, and in terms of the walls, also look for signs of water damage – peeling paint, stains, rough patches especially near the ceiling, since that would often be associated with mildew. If it seems like the walls are the source, you’re pretty much SOL. Run away. On the floors, look for dark patches and stains. If you can, smell them, too. Animal urine, especially, is very hard on hardwood floors and will stink to high heaven for a good long time, but it creates visible dark patches in the wood.
If you can, check the basement for mold. Look for signs of leaking pipes in the basement – especially the soil stack. Look for yellow stains on the drop tile – water can allow mildew, which can cause odor. See if perhaps you can lift some drop tiles to investigate the cavity. Look for places where the paneling may not be tight against the base wall and look behind it. See if perhaps the closets weren’t finished well. Look under the sinks. Look for P traps instead of S traps. Check that the tubs and showers are water tight. Check that the floors in the bathroom and around the sink in the kitchen are water tight. Look at the bathroom ceiling – if it’s peeling, that’s a sign that too much humidity builds up in that room. If you’re really talented, see if the bathroom vents into the attic or outside. Bring a flashlight. Shine the flashlight into every crevice, crack, cranny, closet, and cupboard you can find. Don’t forgot to look between the joists in the basement. What are you looking for
