Can I break my Lease two days into it because of severe cat urine smell. ?

Question

I just signed a one year lease on a condo. When we did our walk through all the windows were open and candles were being burned in everyroom. I didn't catch on to this issue until the day I moved in. This to me was deceptive and they consiencely knew the problem existed. The very first box I brought in I could smell bad cat urine. My finance and I bought couldn't even sleep the first night the smell was so bad. The source seems to be coming from the laundry room. Now when she started to do laundry the smell got 3 10 fold and eminated through the entire condo. The second night we both still couldn't sleep because of the smell. She's basically in tears and we can't even phathom staying another night. Is this considered a legal ground for inhabitable? We want to break the lease and move out immediatly and not surrender our security deposit. Anyone with this type of experiance? Any information would be greatly appreciated. I want to break the lease on grounds of deception and inhabitable. Am I within my rights?

Answer 1

I think if you pitch a big enough of a fit you can always get what you want! So go ahead and try it. DEMAND another condo! Make a scene! Say your allergic to cats...deathly allergic.

Story if you want to read it:

I have two dogs and one day the bathroom mirror(the size of a wall) in my apartment fell down and there was glass everywhere. I wasn't home at the time, but the second my boyfriend called me I rushed into the leasing office yelling about how my dogs could have been killed and or myself, lol I was threatening to get a lawyer! They fixed my mirror pretty fast!

GOOD LUCK!!!  

Answer 2

Laws in each area vary, so your legal recourse may be limited.  If, as you describe it, the showing of the unit seems deceptive.  But that may not be legally open to challenge.

It seems the first step is to demand that a professional cleaner be brought into work on the problem.  They should be also able to appropriately treat the areas.  If the condo association is not responsive, then you may have even bigger problems.

Answer 3

Speak to your landlord about the problem and also put it in writing.  If he agrees to clean up the condo, have that put in writing also.  If he does not help you, get an attorney.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

Most states have a 3 day state of rescission. You would be able to get out of any legal biding contract. Make sure you look over your lease. It should be under the cancel section of the agreement.

Answer 5

I don't think you should have any trouble with that, it's disgusting and not at all legal to rent something in that condition.

Answer 6

You are within the right. Get a lawyer because as soon as you move out, they are going to sue.

Answer 7

I would suggest discussing the issue with the landlord. Let him know that the unit is uninhabitable and you would like to move. He will have to so something about it.

Answer 8

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 9

Laws vary from state-to-state.  In some states, you have 7 days get out of certain contracts (real estate, car purchases, etc.), but in some states you do not.  I would highly recommend contacting an attorney as soon as possible.  The longer you delay, the less likely it is that you will be able to break the lease.  For this reason, I would contact an attorney *today* - don't spend a week trying to get ahold of the landlord, because, in the end, it may be too late by the time you reach them.