I hope this is okay to ask here. I figure some of you here would know about this sort of stuff.
I want to turn my basement into a bit of an office. I can't do anything crazy due to it being a rental situation.
There's a minor leaking problem with water when there is heavy rainfall.
Luckily, it seems there isn't water seeping through the walls. There are just a few small creaks in the walling and floor around the basement that is leaking water. This can lead to small puddling if the weather is very rainy.
No. Ideal for caulking and sealing driveways, sidewalks, patios, exterior masonry, -above-ground - foundations and tuck-pointing between various types of masonry The best way would be to dig down the outside of the foundation and and clean then apply an asphalt based sealant. From inside you could use a hydraulic cement which expands slightly as it cures. You would need to v out any cracks then apply the hydraulic cement. This is something the landlord should take care of but some are slum-lords, not real people. Water getting into the basement could be a health issue because mold.
Hmm, would mold in the basement cause health issues to the rest of the house? It's a separate entrance, and the only 'connection' into the main house is a heating vent.
Molds reproduce via spores. Spores are spread via air born currents. I'll bet the furnace is in the basement and uses air intake from there. @SudoSaibot makes a very good point too.
That won't work. In fact almost nothing works to fix basement leaks except for extreme measures. The leak is on the outside of the wall and an indoor patch will only be a temporary band-aid. Avoid rubber or silicone products to fix masonry.
That said - Thoroseal - expanding concrete is pretty good at fixing leaks. Saw cut or chisel the edges and clean the cracks prior to placing the expanding cement. Ideally you want the prepared crack to be undercut, like a dovetail joint. Thoroseal also makes a thick waterproofing paint that you should use everywhere else after fixing the cracks.