Advice

Kristen · Apr 13, 2002

OK this may sound petty but I have a question and need advice.

We just moved as most of you know. We rented sight unseen. When we arrived the place was dirty. I have to clean everything, toilets, dishwasher, walls EVERYTHING!!

We were told NO PETS! Which is OK cause we don't have any. The landlord said she had the carpets cleaned which she did. Oh and she said the previous tenants were kicked out cause they had gotten a puppy. Which you could tell because there are landmines everywhere.

Anyway the thing is there is a HORRIBLE smell of animal urine throughout the WHOLE HOUSE. It makes me sick to my stomach. I wake up to the smell and go to bed with the smell. I don't even want to be here it's that bad. It is AWFUL

We have to sign a lease, but I don't want to unless she fixes the problem. It makes our clothes smell it's that bad.

What should we do, sign the lease and pray that the smell goes away, or tell her we need the problem fixed before we sign the lease?

Prayers and advice are needed.

Dewjunkie · Apr 13, 2002

I would definitely have her fix the problem before signing anything. She has the obligation of providing clean and habitable housing. You should not have to suffer for what the previous tennants did. I don't think not wanting to live in a house that smells like doggy pee is petty at all.

HisLamb · Apr 13, 2002

I will pray for your situation, Kristen.

If it were me, I'd demand they get rid of the smell before signing the lease. Once you sign that piece of paper, you're stuck with the smell for however long the lease covers. That has got to be something the Board of Health could help you with if the owners give you problems.

Blynn · Apr 13, 2002

Hi Kristen,

I would be concerned also for sanitary reasons. I would tell her that you need the problem fixed. Maybe she could investigate where the smell is coming from? Or maybe she did not clean the carpet. I would approach her and see what happens.

I sympathize with you Kristen. We moved a month ago. We spent $170 cleaning the carpets. I honestly do not think anyone ever cleaned the place where we lived. The refrigerator was not fit to put food into. It did not work properly and leaked water on the floor. I called the owner and he got us a new one.

I will pray Kristen.

solo66 man · Apr 13, 2002

No way would I move into that. The smell will not go away.
You might want to call a professional carpet steam cleaning company to give you some advice on it. If you have the money, you may be able to move in and have the carpet steam cleaned. Talk to the landlord. Maybe she is reasonable and will either pay for the cleaning or split it with you.

Kristen · Apr 13, 2002

Thank you all for your support. It is completely awful. And being pregnant is compounding the situation. I feel like getting sick always.

She did have the carpet cleaned already. I could tell by the patterns on the carpet. It was stiff also like it had just been cleaned.
I think cleaning it just makes it worse. I think the carpet need to be replaced. It smells like a kennel

MizDoulos · Apr 13, 2002

Hi, Kristen ~ got just the product for you!
It is called, "Nature's Miracle," a pet stain and odor removal. Dr. Warren Eckstein, an expert on pets, always talks about this product and swears by it. Here's the web link:

http://warreneckstein.com/n-naturesmiracle.html

Check it out and see what you think. He's big in the movie industry, meaning that he must be good or else they wouldn't pay for his services, know what I mean?
I hope this will work for you.

Also, you may want to check into the state rental laws because if a place is uninhabitable like in California, you don't have to pay rent until the problem is solved!

My continued prayers are with you, Kristen.
God bless.

Kristen · Apr 13, 2002

Thank You Pat, I will check out your link. I will also check into the rights of tenants here in Idaho. Thanks again

MizDoulos · Apr 13, 2002

You're welcome, Kristen. There must some kind of tenant law that would help you out. I hope and pray!

ThienAn · Apr 13, 2002

If she doesn't want to fix your problem, chances are her apts. is just as dirty & smelly.

Why would you want to put up with an apts like that? After all, you'll be living in it.

Kristen · Apr 13, 2002

ThienAn,

This is a house. We rented it over the phone. We gave her first months rent and a deposit. They are only 2 years old. the previous tenants were obviosly dirty. We have no choice but to live here for now. I just don't want to sign the lease if I don't have to til she fixes the problem.

I don't want to put up with this smell. It is overwhelming and awful. That's why I started this thread for some advice.

amie · Apr 13, 2002

Hi Kristen,
I know certain odors can make a pregnant woman GAG! you poor thing! Yes, I agree, she needs to rectify the problem! yes, check out the tennant lawas...allright, you guys can move in with me...california! I will be praying for and with you always!
love and blessings
Amie

futuresoldier · Apr 13, 2002

Get out of that house now. You seem to forget the biggest risk- HYGEINE. God tells me (I think- will amend later if I am wrong) your child will be in risk in such a tip. Would you raise a child in a pool of urine? I'm sorry to have to use images like that, but you must NOT put up with it.

Kristen · Apr 13, 2002

Hi Kristen,
I know certain odors can make a pregnant woman GAG! you poor thing! Yes, I agree, she needs to rectify the problem! yes, check out the tennant lawas...allright, you guys can move in with me...california! I will be praying for and with you always!
love and blessings
Amie

We'll be there tomorrow!
Seriously I am gagging all the time. I am so freaked out because of it. I am gonna look for a new place today. I can't hang!!

Futuresoldier, You don't know how bad I want out, or the problem fixed. My landlord is gone for the weekend so I have to wait to talk to her. So meanwhile we are going to look for a home THAT DOESN"T SMELL!!!

fieldmouse3 · Apr 13, 2002

I would just look for a new place, if there's any way you can do that. This one sounds awful!

solo66 man · Apr 13, 2002

If it was steam cleaned once, she should try once more and if that does not work, the only solution is to replace the carpet.

Originally posted by Kristen
Thank you all for your support. It is completely awful. And being pregnant is compounding the situation. I feel like getting sick always.

She did have the carpet cleaned already. I could tell by the patterns on the carpet. It was stiff also like it had just been cleaned.
I think cleaning it just makes it worse. I think the carpet need to be replaced. It smells like a kennel

Mandy · Apr 13, 2002

I agree Kristen, do NOT sign the lease until the problem is fixed! You are paying rent to live in a house, it should have been cleaned. I will be praying for you guys and hopefully you will be able to find a nice smelling, clean house to live in!

ZiSunka · Apr 13, 2002

In every state in the US, the landlord HAS to clean and sanitize the apartment BEFORE the new tennant moves in. Your landlord has already violated the law. If he/she is that kind of scofflaw, your don't want to rent from him/her, because even if he/she cleans up now, it is a sign of how he/she works and keeps up the place.

The past is the best predictor of the future, so I would find a new place right away, and I would NOT sign the lease.

You don't want to be stuck living in a rat's nest. What will you do when the health department condemns the place for its unsanitary conditions?

Kristen · Apr 13, 2002

Thanks Mandy and Lambslove. We are not going to sign the lease. NO WAY! It isn't fair that we have to put up with this. We will talk to her tomorrow very nicely and see what she says. I will keep you posted. If she won't fix the problem, of course we'll have to move.

Christi · Apr 14, 2002

I have a friend this had happened to. Cleaning the carpet never helped because it had soaked through the carpet and pad into the wood floor. She had to take up the carpet, and use something (I don't remember what) to clean the wood floor and refinish it. She decided not to replace the carpet, because she liked the wood floor. It was a big pain!

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