Ready to sign on this apartment but worried about possible mold? How can I tell?

Question

I just found a great apartment, recently renovated (tiles, carpeting, cabinets...). The previous tenant wants someone to take the remaining 11 months on her lease because "she is allergic to the carpeting". Can she really be allergic to the carpet itself or is it more likely that she's allergic to something in the carpet? I don't generally have allergies, my main concern is the possibility that her allergies are due to mold in/under the carpet. As I said, the carpeting is new and theres no noticeable staining on the surface. Is there any way to find out for sure if there's mold there without actually pulling up the carpet? Any idea how likely it is to get mold on a one-yr-old carpet which still looks brand new, and in a not-so-humid area?
PS: The reason the previous tenant knows her allergies are coming from the carpet is that there's carpeting on the upper floor and not in the lower floor and she has reactions only when she sleeps upstairs, but not when she sleeps downstairs...

Answer 1

Relax. Her allergy is to the carpet. Carpet fiber allergies are not all that uncommon. The GF of one of my business partners had her 1900's house recarpeted with genuine wool carpeting, since that appears to be the ONLY fiber to which she does not have an allergic reaction.

Mold is also not going to grow under a carpet unless it's damp.

Answer 2

If you’re really worried, there are specific mold inspectors, although you’ll probably need approval from the landlord to perform one.

Has it occurred to you that the current tenant is lying and/or crazy? It’s possible she does have legitimate allergies, but I’m somewhat skeptical because they can be an easy way out of various situations (I don’t like where I live – I no longer want to care for my pet – I don’t like the perfume of my officemate).

Answer 3

i think they make mold kits you can buy that'll test the air.