Similar problem in my house in VA. Surrounded by forest. Humidity is around 65% in the house. No mold that I have found. Basement has stayed dry even in the wettest weather for the past 50 years so I am less concerned than I might be otherwise. I run a portable dehumidifier 24 hrs a day upstairs in the kitchen and in the basement as well as AC in the summer. They keep the humidity around 30-35%. Cleared up the odor and made the house comfortable. No health issues, but some odor comes back if I am gone for a week or two and the humidity creeps back up with the dehumidifiers off.

Sometimes one doesn't need the air to be cooler, just dehumidified. The dehumidifiers don't deliberately move heat, just the condensed water to an outside drain or a interior tank that must be emptied.

I seen excellent results in smelly basements using 1-2 larger dehumidifiers.

Good info. I'll try adehumdifier.

Get a mold test done.This is the only way to tell if there is an air quality issue or not.Mold itself really does not have an odor except when it is "off gassing".This is not a common event.If you have any other questions or concerns feel free to give me a p.m. I would be glad to try to answer them.I am a Florida state certified mold remediator.Regards John Szabo

Mould and ventilation is a challenge in areas prone to high humidity. Like the others have said as a renter, you're only option is to try a de-humidifier. The downside is for a dehumidifier to work in a high outside humidity environment, you really need to keep all doors and windows closed. Sounds like the building itself has some deficiencies that could be very expensive to correct (perhaps no vapour barrier under the slab, inadequate roof ventilation, inadequate perimeter drainage, slow leaks in the plumbing in unseen spots...etc. I stayed in a hotel one night in San Francisco that smelled like that....didn't like it one bit. Good luck

John Szabo

Delete your phone # and PM the guy. Unless you want the advertising on the internets.

If you do air testing for mold, you will need to take several, one in the basement, one upstairs and one or two outside to establish background. I'm not a certified mold inspector, or remediator, but I've done a lot of mold investigations, and I'm a Certified Industrial Hygienist. If you do want to do testing, PM me. I can probably save you A LOT of money in testing costs.

johnkszabo will tell you that means something.

Hugh R. just saw your post on mold testing.I am a State of Florida mold remediator,I do not do testing.In Florida it is actually illegal to test and remediate for mold.I was not looking for advertising on the net,just offering a hand to the poster if needed.Regards John Szabo

Suggestions to address your rental home challenges...
 

Charlie,

I was in the same boat some years ago...You need to address this in a three prong approach...it will require thorough consistent follow up and constant maintenance...

Buy bulk desicant and have them all over the house...in the closet, under the sink, inside the pantry, bathroom, laundry area...i have tried numerous brands but have been happy the results with "damp-rid". You will be surprised with the moisture it will extract from your environment...Drain the contaier regularly every week...

If the humidity level is that high, then also suggest eliminate objects that will absorb moisture in the living quarters...out goes the carpet and area rugs...

Spray and clean your walls and hardwood flooring with "mold/mildew cleaner"...it will eliminate the source of that funky smell and do not use any fragrant deodorizer...it will only mask the smell and not address the root of the problem...

We share the same high humidity conditions in the central coast of california...
So again, get desicant, get rid of moisture magnets, and clean up...

Once you implement these suggestions, highly likely it will improve your situation...

Keep us posted.

Allen

Thanks, Allan. We moved in 5 days ago, and the smell is pretty much gone. We put odor absorbing canisters around the house. But just living here and keeping the place heated seems to have alleviated the problem. The humidity hovers around 65 to 70%, so I think I'll get some of the desiccant you suggest.

Get the dehumidifier first. Mine takes 3 or 4 gallons out if the air every day and keeps it around 30-35 percent. A pretty good sized one is only about $120 at Lowes. It would take a huge amount of dessicant to do thsat.

What Fintstone said...one of my buddy's houses is near Richmond (similar to Fint's situation). Sometimes his sits vacant as he also splits his time elsewhere. Dehumidifiers are a must for him also. Sounds as if you're just fine imo...but I'd do as Fint does....

I use the 70 pint Frigidaire available on Amazon for $ 210.00

I think mine are the same.