Animal smells

[frugalone]

Spouse and I went to look at a rental house the other day. The tenants are in the midst of moving out and quite a lot of their possessions are still in the house, including clothing, area rugs, and various and sundry.

One of the first things we noticed when we entered was an animal smell. I know the tenant has a dog, and during the Grand Tour, the landlord mentioned that he has or has had cats. The landlord also commented that the place "smelled of dog." It was not pleasant.

I'm wondering: will this smell go when Mr. Tenant takes his fabric goods out of the home? I know they're moving, but the place was in a real tip, and I'm wondering if there were "accidents" and cats peed on the floor or something. In which case, I have no idea how the landlord would get that smell out of hardwood floors.

This concerns me. Years ago, we rented a place (but never moved into it) that smelled overwhelmingly of dog. We bought a couple of those "bombs" that you set off and leave the house for a day. It did not make a durned bit of difference.

Anyone have any experience with this sort of thing? A permanent smell like this would be a deal-breaker for both spouse and me. Thanks!

[Teacher Terry]

Neither cat or dog pee will come out of hardwood. WE bought a house where the dog peed on the carpet but we didn't care because we were going to pergo. However, it went through to the floor beneath it and we had to remove that too in order to get rid of the smell.

[frugalone]

Terry--that's what I'm afraid of. How can one possibly tell if it's in the wood or just a general "atmospheric" smell?

[sweetana3]

I think a black light will show up cat and probably dog pee. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRTIDH74esc

We bought a house that really did not have a cat smell for the short times we were in the house. When we moved in it turned out the cat had used one big spot in the basement. We had to strip out some of the molding and the drywall and seal all around with Kilz before repairing and repainting. It is a lot like cigarette smoke. It permeates the porous surfaces like walls and floors if the animal areas are not kept clean.

[lmerullo]

If the smell is very noticible, then I'm going to guess it's semi-permanent. Unless landlord will be replacing flooring and painting everything then I think it's in the surfaces for the long haul. It will be inside the walls, ductwork, cabinets etc even if there's a decent amount of clean up done.

That said, I think one can rent an ozone machine and put it in the space and get rid of unpleasant smells. I don't know the cost, though.

[frugalone]

OK...wow...this is not so good. They did say they would paint, as I mentioned above. However, the hardwood floors were refinished a couple of years ago. Then Mr. Tenant (I shouldn't call him that--It reminds me of David Tennant, whom I love!) got the pets and they scratched up the floors. Then Mr. T. tried to paint over them and did a half-a$$ed job.

My sister got new wood floors and she has three (yes, three) Labradoodles. Of course the floors got spoiled.

I would hate to move into someplace and find out that smell is there to stay. One of my friends that I spoke to about it said she didn't think it would be a problem. Based upon what, I don't know.

[Gardnr]

It may not leave if there were accidents on the floor. one option is to write into the rental agreement that if the smell is not gone after the thorough post-renter cleaning, that you are due a full refund of all $ put down on the contract based upon YOUR acceptance of the Odor or lack thereof in a pre move-in walkthrough.

The landlord may care less and say no especially if they have other interested parties. But at least if you have to find something else, you're not stuck with a stinky home.

[Yppej]

When one of my dogs got old and incontinent he used a wooden folding closet door as his tree when we were not watching. After he passed it had to be thrown out and a new door installed.

[frugalone]

A good idea, Gardnr.


It may not leave if there were accidents on the floor. one option is to write into the rental agreement that if the smell is not gone after the thorough post-renter cleaning, that you are due a full refund of all $ put down on the contract based upon YOUR acceptance of the Odor or lack thereof in a pre move-in walkthrough.

The landlord may care less and say no especially if they have other interested parties. But at least if you have to find something else, you're not stuck with a stinky home.

[frugalone]

OK, wow...I'm just kinda catching my breath here. Perhaps I should have explained: the landlady is a friend of mine. I posted about this in the summer, and the majority of respondents said "don't rent from your friend." But we haven't found anything else so spouse said let's take a look. He's not crazy about the place for a variety of reasons--the smell being one.

But get this: She just walked INTO MY WORKPLACE and in front of two coworkers and two student workers, asked me if I had made up my mind yet. I was flabbergasted. I just sort of smiled and said, "I was gonna email you". She smiled and said, "Ok, see you" and left.

OK, is this weird, or is it just me? Was that inappropriate? My place of employment IS on her route (she walks home) to her house.

[Tybee]

I think you are getting enough hints from the universe that you need to look elsewhere to rent.

[Teacher Terry]

Probably can't rent it due to the smell.

[Tybee]

Gosh, I hope my house doesn't smell like dog. It probably does; we have three.

[Teacher Terry]

my friend and I each have 3 and neither of our homes smell. Believe me my son would be complaining if it did:)) I even had a small dog that the last few years of her life peed a lot on the floor but because I was home a lot I cleaned it up right away so it did not damage my floors.

[frugalone]

According to spouse, it's more like "essence of cat" than dog. We're going to compose an email to her and be frank about what she intends to do about it, the terms of the lease, etc. We don't want to be suckers.

I probably shouldn't say this, but the day my sister got married, we went up to her in-laws' place. According to spouse, it "smelled like a dog's butt." They had two small dogs. Perfectly nice people, the place was neatly kept, brand new kitchen, etc. I have no idea what was goin' on there...

I do think it is cat. Specifically male cat "spray." Definitely a deal-breaker if she can't eliminate it.

[Teacher Terry]

Cat is the worst.

[Tybee]

I thought I smelled cat when we bought our foreclosure in SC, but we refinished floors and painted everything and I ran air cleaners and it smelled fine after we finished the work. Just like new paint and clean air.

[Tammy]

That was definitely inappropriate of her. And you don't owe her any reason why – you can simply email her and say no.

[herbgeek]

If she's coming into your workplace already, just imagine what would happen if, for example you ever happen to be late on the rent. Is she going to be coming into your building and announcing this to anyone within earshot? Would you really want all your co-workers knowing this? RUN!

[ApatheticNoMore]

I would not rent it, I think it will smell like that forever.

[frugalone]

Umm...eek...I never thought about that. It was a total surprise to me when she showed up today.


If she's coming into your workplace already, just imagine what would happen if, for example you ever happen to be late on the rent. Is she going to be coming into your building and announcing this to anyone within earshot? Would you really want all your co-workers knowing this? RUN!

[messengerhot]

Well, a dog's poop and so with the cat 's smell is really terrible. We have one dog here and so I know. By the way, I usually clean it with vinegar and water to eliminate bad odor.

[Tenngal]

Spouse and I went to look at a rental house the other day. The tenants are in the midst of moving out and quite a lot of their possessions are still in the house, including clothing, area rugs, and various and sundry.

One of the first things we noticed when we entered was an animal smell. I know the tenant has a dog, and during the Grand Tour, the landlord mentioned that he has or has had cats. The landlord also commented that the place "smelled of dog." It was not pleasant.

I'm wondering: will this smell go when Mr. Tenant takes his fabric goods out of the home? I know they're moving, but the place was in a real tip, and I'm wondering if there were "accidents" and cats peed on the floor or something. In which case, I have no idea how the landlord would get that smell out of hardwood floors.

This concerns me. Years ago, we rented a place (but never moved into it) that smelled overwhelmingly of dog. We bought a couple of those "bombs" that you set off and leave the house for a day. It did not make a durned bit of difference.

Anyone have any experience with this sort of thing? A permanent smell like this would be a deal-breaker for both spouse and me. Thanks!

was it a "dog smell" or a "pee smell?" If it is dog then his moving should get rid of most of it. If not and it is a pee smell down in the hardwood, it will have to be sealed.

Oil-based Kilz does a good job of this. Might take a couple coats, are you comfortable with painted wood floors? Or would you have to cover them?

[frugalone]

Tenngal, I'm fine with painted wood floors but I wouldn't want to paint over the areas that the landlady had refinished just a couple years ago (at least that's how she put it).

I definitely smelled dog. Spouse's main sense was of male cat pee. We both have very different olfactory systems.

Either way, it wasn't pleasant and definitely has got to go.

[iris lilies]

If the cat smell is bad now, wait until it is hot and humid oitsoors. Will be worse.

[Tybee]

If the cat smell is bad now, wait until it is hot and humid oitsoors. Will be worse.

Do yourself a favor, and tell her you do not want the apartment. Find something else.

[frugalone]

I just wanted to update you on this situation. Spouse and I discussed the situation, and emailed our friend. The house isn't going to be ready for 3 months, she is now saying. She says she tried to clean the floors before we came to see the place, and apologized for the smell. That isn't the only red flag with this place. Apparently her husband would very much like to sell it, and they've never had a lease. I'm in a situation similar to that right now. I could be wrong, but aren't leases supposed to protect both the landlord and the tenant? And I don't feel like moving in only to be told the place is going on the market.

I doubt we will rent it. All of the above, coupled with the busy location, make it look less attractive than I initially thought. I am disappointed, though, because I felt the price was reasonable, they allow pets, and the style of home is one of my "dream home" types.

Thanks, all, for pitching in with your advice.