I am renting a place carpet REAKs of Cat Urine. I want OUT. Can I break my lease?

Question

I just want to move at this point. The place smells so bad. When I went to view the place before I began renting I didn't smell the cat urine because there were all these air freshners. I didn't think much of it, but after we moved it the smell was overwhelming. I have tried to clean and nothing works, the carpet needs to be replaced. The landlord is apparently a slum lord and needs to learn a good lesson in being honest. Can I break my lease?

Answer 1

Before you go through the cost of renting movers and putting down a new down payment on another place- you will have to fight to get your money back from your now slumlord-- rent a carpet cleaner from the grocery stores- they are HUGE and buy a carpet deodorizer called ODORBAN- I get mine at SAMS club-- use a carpet detergent that is for animal smells also. Shampoo the carpet as directed then add the odor ban to the container and put down odorban ALL OVER THE CARPET- let it sink in for at least 30 minutes and then suck it up- it will stink horrifically until dry, so you may want to stay in a hotel that night- but it will be cheaper than moving---. You can call local authorities regarding your lease, but I'll bet you'll get nowhere- so you may want to spend the $25 for the machine and odorban and see if it works.

Good luck to you-- I hope it gets the pee out, and if not- you can then make him come over for some other reason, and let HIM SMELL THE ODOR- he already knows how bad it is because that's why the air fresheners were hanging.

Answer 2

I can't tell you about rental law ... because I don't know the area you live in. Here is something that will ELIMINATE the smell. If it is coming from the laundry room then I am guessing it is solid surfaces... Take pure alcohol (make sure the dryer is not running at the time.- alcohol is flamible) Wash the entire floor with the alcohol and then squirt it all along the wall and wipe down the walls with it. Make sure it goes into any crack or crevice. Behind and under the washer dryer... (the pee may have seeped) The urine contains a oil that keeps the smell ... The alcohol removes this oil. If you know someone with a black light you can run the black light over your carpet and all urine stains will show up... pour on the alcohol and then blott it up... then shine the light again. (this may also be an effective way to show the people renting the apt. ) I agree with others that your condo was not in a habital condition... and IF YOU WERE ALLERGIC then this might be a health hazard for you. I WOULD FOR SURE MAKE SURE THE CARPETS ARE CLEANED RIGHT AWAY! even if they have already been done. including the solid surfaces! I am a cat lover but HATE cat pee smell too. Check with another rental agency in your area and they can tell you if the lease can be broken. Or a lawyer... ususally just a consultation would be free. I am sure the alcohol will remove the smell ... even if it is in the pad of the carpet... good luck >^..^<

Answer 3

Yes, you can break a lease for urine smell because it is a HEALTH issue.

Doccument all telephone calles and conversations.

Give him 30 days written notice that you are forced to move because the smell is unberable.
State in the letter what you are telling us here as well about the cover up-air fresheners.
Include in the letter that if he/she replaces the carpet & padding you will stay.(courts like you to work with the landlord)
Be polite in the letter for this reason but firm.


You may wind up in court but I do not see why any judge would not allow you to break the lease for this reason. Try to bring witnesses to court.

Health and safety issues must be addressed by landlords. If he fails to address this issue you have recourse.

Answer 4

Be careful that what you think is cat urine isn't meth residue. If the previous tenants were cooking meth the smell can be very similar to cat urine and the residue is highly toxic. Maybe you can convince the landlord that the smell isn't cat urine, but is from drug manufactoring. Property owners have a lot of liability in this area. Have a city housing or health inspector come over and write up the landlord immediately.

Answer 5

Afraid not. You had the chance to look over the place and, even though the smell was concealed, you still checked it out.

Actually, when you move out, you better make sure that smell is covered again or your landlord will say YOU ruined the carpet and make you pay to replace it.

Sorry. Try having a professional clean the carpets. Or try asking the landlord to replace them. I doubt that will happen, but you can ask.

Answer 6

Legally you cannot break the lease by moving out.

If I were you I would contact the landlord in writing and inform him or her that you want to carpet replaced.

And also I think it would be best if you contacted an attorney for legal advice on your issue as well. You need to find out what your rights are.

Maybe the attorney can inform you if you need to file a claim with you local courts for assistance.

Hope this helps.

And I hope all works out for you in the end.

God Bless.....

Answer 7

Check the lease you signed on the reprocussions of early termination. More than likely there will be a fee charged to you for doing so. You can try and take the landlord to small-claims to recoup this fee.

Answer 8

Draft up a letter to you slum lord about your complaints. Get it done by certified mail to insure they received it. Wait for a response,if no action is taken, you now have everything in writing.
Go seek an attorney for advice from there.

Answer 9

yes, you can break your lease if you go to www.legislature.mi.gov. it will give you land lord tenant issues on that site and if you would like to confirm it go to legal match.com ask an attorney they will help you out. you can file against the landlord and most likely get all your rent back do to health issues

Answer 10

I just want to give a big kudos to all of you for writing. I don't know how to answer this question, but I'm impressed by the time and effort you guys have put in your answers. Way to go.