We have had so much rain in Kansas City, MO and all of my vacant properties seem to be filling with water and bringing on mold. Most of my clients don't keep utilities on or if they do, use them at minimum. I have placed dehumidifiers in several properties and they range in price from $120-$250. I'm not sure how to bill for these. I am only placing them there until the properties sell. Any suggestions on fee? I was thinking a $25 delivery charge and $1 per day.

Larry

I've seen the national property preservation companies billing my banks for the full cost of dehumidifiers. Plan on losing a few to unethical agents. About half of the units in my properties disappear and need replacement. Another trick that might help is a bag of charcoal. Slice the bag open and it will absorb the damp basement smell. After a period of time, place it in the sun for a day or so, it dries out and can be reused. Or place it in an appropriate container and dry it in an oven. Also, check dehumidifier prices from MFS supply. They also have good pricing on a lot of property preservation supplies, key sets, lock boxes, tarps, and such. Hope this helps.

Thanks, JackREO. I have lost many dehumidifiers over the years. Mold has become my arch enemy this season and caused many deals to fall through. I'll try the charcoal trick. Sounds like it would be much cheaper.

I guess charcoal is better than nothing if there are no utilities on, but wouldn't a dehumidifier and a few months of electric bills be much less cost than a property with mold? Oh, there I go again using logic with banks.

Charcoal in addition to, not instead of.

I use dehumidifiers where there is electric but many of my houses have the breaker box ripped out or agents who dont want to pay the utilities. I'm just tired of them getting stolen.