Good morning,
I am currently renting in Alberta, and have recently moved into a small 2-bedroom apartment with an open-space kitchen/living room. When I first went to see the apartment, there was a noticeable smell that I could not place (neither the scent nor the source of the scent), but I didn't give it a thought - I assumed it was cleaning solution or something from the steam clean, and would be gone once I took possession and, worst case, I aired out the place. At the time, I did ask if it was because the previous tenant was a smoker and they perhaps they used a solution to clean it. The property manager was unsure, and gave me a general "I think" answer.
It's been over a month since then, and almost a month since I moved in. The scent remains and is most noticeable when walking in the apartment, although I still do not know what the smell is (it is a sharp, high scent - almost salty), or where it comes from. It is in all the rooms (living room, kitchen -strongest scent - first bedroom) except the back bedroom, bathroom and laundry room (these three rooms are at the back of the unit). I have aired out the place each day for a week, steam cleaned the place twice (the second time doing a very deep steam clean), washed the walls, washed the vents, washed behind the stove, washed the cupboards and drawers, as well as the floor, released an odour bomb, cleaned out the dish washer basket, filter, arms, have tested the drain pump, and have also checked the pipes beneath the kitchen sink.
I am wondering what to do at this point. Is this simply apartment living and toughen up, or can I ask the Property Manager for assistance in diagnosing the scent? I am not sure I can live 12 months like this.
I am currently renting in Alberta, and have recently moved into a small 2-bedroom apartment with an open-space kitchen/living room. When I first went to see the apartment, there was a noticeable smell that I could not place (neither the scent nor the source of the scent), but I didn't give it a thought - I assumed it was cleaning solution or something from the steam clean, and would be gone once I took possession and, worst case, I aired out the place. At the time, I did ask if it was because the previous tenant was a smoker and they perhaps they used a solution to clean it. The property manager was unsure, and gave me a general "I think" answer.
It's been over a month since then, and almost a month since I moved in. The scent remains and is most noticeable when walking in the apartment, although I still do not know what the smell is (it is a sharp, high scent - almost salty), or where it comes from. It is in all the rooms (living room, kitchen -strongest scent - first bedroom) except the back bedroom, bathroom and laundry room (these three rooms are at the back of the unit). I have aired out the place each day for a week, steam cleaned the place twice (the second time doing a very deep steam clean), washed the walls, washed the vents, washed behind the stove, washed the cupboards and drawers, as well as the floor, released an odour bomb, cleaned out the dish washer basket, filter, arms, have tested the drain pump, and have also checked the pipes beneath the kitchen sink.
I am wondering what to do at this point. Is this simply apartment living and toughen up, or can I ask the Property Manager for assistance in diagnosing the scent? I am not sure I can live 12 months like this.