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So, I signed the rental lease one day and then went and checked out the place the second time (the first time when it was shown to me first time) right away. When I check the rooms of the place I started smelling animal urine/waste. My question is that how do I break the lease and get all my money back as I'm in a hurry to find another place that don't smell. There are no carpets in this rental place so I think the animal smell has must have soaked through the wood and concrete of the place. I don't see any stains or marks. generally clean but smelly. I don't really have a desire to have it cleaned as I fear that when I finally move in the smell will come back (after it is "cleaned") and it might be more difficult to break my lease agreement. thanks.
Have you already given them your security deposit and 1st months rent? If not, you could try claiming that you've had a sudden expense and can't afford to move in. See what they say then - they might want to just cancel the lease. I'm thinking that has higher odds of working than saying, "Phew! Your place stinks!"
But if they try to hold you to the lease, you'll just have to break it and pay the consequences. Look for a section in the lease that addresses breaking the lease early...
...There are no carpets in this rental place so I think the animal smell has must have soaked through the wood and concrete of the place....I fear that when I finally move in the smell will come back...
Yes, the smell can certainly come back if it's cat urine. This is why I'm always amazed at apartments that won't allow dogs but allow cats. Some cat spray issues get bad enough that it soaks into the drywall, underflooring, concrete, etc. Yuck!
Call the landlord, followed by written correspondence (preferably certified mail return receipt) stating your experience and desire to cancel the lease. You have easy justification here as this odor would not only interfere with your right to enjoy the residence but would pose a significant environmental risk as ammonia vapor (present in cat urine) in high enough concentration can react with water in your body to make ammonium hydroxide, which is corrosive and causes cell damage on contact. Also, the remediation work to correct this issue would likely not be a quick fix and would delay your possession of the home.
Call the landlord, followed by written correspondence (preferably certified mail return receipt) stating your experience and desire to cancel the lease. You have easy justification here as this odor would not only interfere with your right to enjoy the residence but would pose a significant environmental risk as ammonia vapor (present in cat urine) in high enough concentration can react with water in your body to make ammonium hydroxide, which is corrosive and causes cell damage on contact. Also, the remediation work to correct this issue would likely not be a quick fix and would delay your possession of the home.
lol, Im guessing this isnt your run in with cat urine. Great advice, imma have to save that in case i run into that problem! two thumbs up
No, I did an initial walk-through of the place before signing the lease, but it had not yet been cleaned and needed some repairs. The landlord lead me to believe that the maintenance and cleaning would be completed and that the house would be in good condition upon move-in. I was required to sign the lease and pay a holding fee before the listing would be removed from the rental market.
Have you already given them your security deposit and 1st months rent? If not, you could try claiming that you've had a sudden expense and can't afford to move in. See what they say then - they might want to just cancel the lease. I'm thinking that has higher odds of working than saying, "Phew! Your place stinks!"
But if they try to hold you to the lease, you'll just have to break it and pay the consequences. Look for a section in the lease that addresses breaking the lease early...
Unfortunately, I did pay the security deposit and 1st month's when I picked up the keys from the prop. mgt. office and before making a final inspection of the unit.
I feel for you! You were fortunate enough in the beginning to have had the opportunity to view the unit prior to signing a lease. At my apt complex, you never see the apt until the day you get the keys (move-in day). When you first sign up for a place, either someone is still living there, or they are busy getting the unit ready for a new tenant, and you aren't allowed to see the place yet. There is a model apt on the property, but that is dressed up like Disneyland and definitely not an accurate representation of what your place will be like.
Unfortunately, I did pay the security deposit and 1st month's when I picked up the keys from the prop. mgt. office and before making a final inspection of the unit.
then read your lease and see what it says about early termination. Also, talk to your landlord BEFORE you begin to move items in. Have him meet you at the unit so you he can smell for himself what exactly you're smelling.
I find I hard to believe that you couldn't smell cat **** on your first visit...that stuff is nasty and you can't 'mask' it...you have to literally rip out whatever was peed on.
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