Tenant moved out, cleaned carpet on last day, smells like dog

Tenant moved out, cleaned carpet on last day, smells like dog

Rental Property Investor · Dover, NH · Member since 2016 · 47 posts · 9 votes

Hey all,

Small time landlord, one duplex and we have a rental unit. 

Tenants moved out, very passive aggressive the entire last month after we gave notice, and they cleaned the carpets the day of move out. When we went in to get the keys, all the windows were open, tenant tries and gets us to sign a document saying they get their deposit back in full. We refuse as you know... that's not a thing, not able to fully inspect the unit.

Almost as soon as they leave and windows are shut, we notice a "wet dog" smell. During the day when it is warm it is more evident. 

So we get a quote from Stanley Steemer, let them know we will be having them professionally deodorized. Tenant wants to get back in to the property to inspect for herself, though with the attitude she had she's not easy to deal with. I gave her an opportunity, heard no response so I cancelled it. It would delay me working to replace the kitchen and bathroom, and on top of that, we're not required to do so.

I let the former tenant know and she's saying things like "we don't know if you dog has been down there, you should have ventilated the unit so the carpets could dry" and so on.

Anyone deal with small claims here in NH? It seems like such a petty amount but she'll try for the ~$200.

Carpets were installed before they moved in. So at ~7 years of useful life that's about 70% of value... what happens if I charge them $200 for deodorizing and then decide to replace the floors? Any recourse or am I free to not deodorize and just rip them out? 

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Investor · Spanish Fork, UT · Member since 2017 · 18 posts · 5 votes
9y

We had the same problem recently.  After the carpet was cleaned one room smelled terrible of urine.  I used ODOBAN from Sams club and it worked amazingly.  I sprayed the carpet heavily, let it dry, and sprayed one more time.  No more smell.  

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  • Rental Property Investor · Oconomowoc, WI · Member since 2016 · 996 posts · 432 votes
    9y

    I can't speak to NH laws but in Wisconsin we don't have recourse once we sign move-out inspection form.  We are bound to what we agree to withhold or refund on that document.   Would I go to court for $200 on a security deposit with a document i already signed that said I would give them back money? No.  I believe any judge will tell you think twice before you sign in the future and s.o.l. this time.  Also, a smell....how do you plan on proving the smell in small claims?

    As for fixing the dog smell problem.  You will need to use a carpet cleaner that cleans with chemicals and hot water not just steam.  Odors tend to transfer to the pad overtime as well so the best course is to rip out the pad (remove the carpet in a way so you can reuse it), replace pad, retack carpet and the next day get the carpet professionally shampooed. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Louisville, KY · Member since 2008 · 342 posts · 123 votes
    9y
    Hopefully the professional cleaner can deodorize it. I am sure they can if it is distinctly wet dog smell and not urine. We only use vinyl plank flooring like allure or something similar now whenever possible. Cleans up 100 times easier than carpet especially if you allow pets. Hopefully you also charged a pet fee. I know several people that charge $35 per pet. We do too.
  • Lender · Tyngsboro, MA · Member since 2009 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y

    @Michael J., hopefully he DIDN'T charge a pet fee.  In NH, you cannot charge a "pet fee".  You can, however, charge more rent for pets.  

  • Rental Property Investor · Louisville, KY · Member since 2008 · 342 posts · 123 votes
    9y

    Good point. I was referring to a monthly charge to allow pets. have to be careful though if they claim it is a comfort or medical pet, most states wont allow you to charge more for a pet in that case.

  • Deland, FL · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    for $200 I wouldn't have even told them theee was a dog smell and have them the money 

  • Investor · Spanish Fork, UT · Member since 2017 · 18 posts · 5 votes
    9y

    We had the same problem recently.  After the carpet was cleaned one room smelled terrible of urine.  I used ODOBAN from Sams club and it worked amazingly.  I sprayed the carpet heavily, let it dry, and sprayed one more time.  No more smell.  

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