Do we know the house didn't have air conditioning? It doesn't seem like it would, just wondered. I don't think he was all that concerned about their comfort, so if he wasn't staying there particularly overnight in the summer, he might've just left them there to be miserable. The basement might be a tiny bit cooler than upstairs. The windows that weren't boarded up looked like they had some kind of covering on them that'd be nearly impossible to see through - it seems unlikely he'd move that cover often to open windows and potentially give the girls an easier way to yell for help (although I noticed in one of the pictures that the upper window appeared to be cracked open - more in a sec - I'm catching up).
I could see defense attempting that argument but I also don't see it going very far. All the ladies could give examples of what happened to them when AC 'tricked' them and they tried to escape to explain why they didn't attempt it very often IMO.
As for the visitors - I'll reply to jking's post below also, but I can see situations where someone might think it was "odd" but not really question it beyond assuming maybe he was a hoarder, messy, or neurotic about who went where in his house.
I doubt it, I did not see an AC unit on any of the photos of the house.
My grandparents lived a few neighborhoods further south from this area, same era of home, very similar style.
When we slept over when we were young, we would stay on the screened front porch in the summer. The upstairs was miserably hot.
They eventually got a window unit for their main floor later on.
In my opinion, that house would have had to been renovated to add AC and it certainly does not look updated based on the photos.
In fact, it does not even appear to be "taken care of".
Only one bathroom to share with him?? I cannot fathom. (that is IF he let them use the bathroom??)
I also cannot imagine being "locked up" in the basement either. Those older basements in that era of homes had that "icky old" basement smell.
I never went in my grandparents basement unless I had to help get the laundry...damp and dreary!
Yuk!!
I cannot even envision what those poor women went through.
A total nightmare.
I also wonder if he was molesting the daughter; just sickening to think about it.