The Tenant Who Grew Mushrooms in the Sitting Room

This piece is part of our International Bizarre Landlord Stories series. Today’s story was first reported in Ireland.

When a landlord in Dublin entered a property after repeated rent arrears, they were stunned to find rows of trays filled with compost and white fungi growing across the sitting room floor. The tenant had converted the flat into a makeshift mushroom farm, using humidifiers and covered windows to create the right conditions.

The discovery

Neighbours had noticed strange smells and constant condensation on the windows, but the true reason was only revealed when the landlord gained entry. Mushrooms were sprouting from the carpet, with electrical wiring dangerously close to damp soil.

The aftermath

Environmental health officers were called in to assess the damage. The landlord faced costly remediation to strip out floors, walls and ceilings. Beyond property damage, there were fears of mould spores spreading through the building. Media coverage in Ireland quickly turned the story into a cautionary tale for landlords about hidden tenant activity.

Lessons for landlords

• Investigate persistent condensation. Continuous damp and mould may indicate more than poor ventilation.
• Follow up on rent arrears. Non-payment can often conceal other breaches of tenancy agreements.
• Check for electrical risks. Improvised setups with water and wiring can present fire hazards.
• Maintain inspection schedules. Regular checks, within the law, help identify problems before they escalate.

Your experience

Have you ever discovered tenants using a property for an unexpected purpose. What was the impact and how did you recover. Share your story below to guide other landlords.

Series so far

• The Tenant Who Kept a Tiger in a Harlem Apartment
• The Day a Cow Knocked at a Fourth-Floor Flat
• When a Tenant Found a Python in the Toilet
• The Tenants Who Turned a Flat into a Miniature Zoo
• The Room Filled With 200 Bottles of Urine
• The Tenant Who Took the Roof With Them
• The Apartment That Became a Cat Colony

Background coverage: Irish Mirror report.