Hi everyone,

Good morning ! I hope you all will have a wonderful week.

Here is my problem:

We are moving to a new appt the end of March.

The last tenant lived in there for 25 years. So the carpet is totally worn out and the landlord is planning to put on parkette instead, which is a good news for us.

So the workers will come in the appt and put on the parkette on 27th or 28th March. Then we are supposed to move in on 29th or 30th March.

It means, there is no time for us let the appt empty for a while.

As far as I know, there are always some polluted air released from new parkette, and the harmful factor is formaldehyde. That is why generally the renovated house should be left empty for months to let the level of formaldehyde come down. And from what I read, formaldehyde may cause leukemia.

But due to the high accommodation price in Zurich, we can't afford to let the appt be empty for weeks.....

So what should I do then ? Is there any good products or machine or any means I can use to clean the air? Anyone experienced this before ?

Looking forward to your advices ~~

Thanks in advance

Firstly, investigate all those weird statements concerning Formaldehyde, Parquet flooring and cure times. You might just ease your mind.

Indeed, and then open the windows...

When our neighbour had hers done about 20 years ago this was the case. She had to move out of the flat while it was done and stay out until the fumes had gone. We had ours done about five years ago and hardly noticed anything at all. The rulings regarding the use of toxic substances has changed a lot in the last decade or so. Check up by all means, but don't worry too much before getting the info you need.

Hey there, I get your concern.

I think you should register asap here in Mieterverband and ask the directly what a renter can do in your situation. I am sure they will be able to help you, this scenario is not uncommon.

Well, now, personally, I wouldn't move in for a month and have the apartment aired, even if I had to pay the rent for this time and hotel. You may be compensated for your hotel.

Formaldehyde is really bad, I am not sure how much people care for that here, though. When we had stuff painted in our bathroom, I took the kiddo and left for 2 weeks so we would avoid inhaling it. But, a few weeks ago, downstairs neighbors decided to re-parkette the whole place and all the fumes went directly through holes into our place. I was livid but there is not much one can do, just leave the windows open in the entire apt for days, it dries quickly.

It's not only parkettes that exude the toxins, but new carpets as well (it's the foamy layer on the bottom of the carpet) and generally most types of flooring. Depends on the material, some air quickly and that's it, some take months.

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Find out exactly what type of floors they putting in and then do some of your own research to check on chemicals etc. You can even call the manufacturer to ask them directly what they recommend in terms of airing the apartment after laying the floors.

I am researching floors at the moment and the brand of floors I am looking at are all natural. You only need to leave them 48 hours after they are laid before walking on them. I've not come across anything with nasty chemicals in them but with a landlord and a rental apartment, you can assume they'll often go cheap on these things.

Hi Fei,

I agree with what Mel said.

I renovated my apartment back home - tore up the ugly marble in that bachelor-pad and put in some parquet. I was only told by the contractor not to go in the house for 48 hours after the parquet has been laid in order for them to set, and another 24 hours after to open the windows to air the apartment. Its a little excessive to wait a few months!