Urine infested Rental – Help !

[babybloom]

We just moved into our new rental and the ‘not quite rite’ smell that was there when we completed the condition report is still there. We thought the carpet may have been still wet from the carpet cleaning.
Well it turns out it’s Dog urine. The previous tenant had 2 dogs (said the neighbour) and it looks as tho there were kept inside and allowed to repeatedly urine on the carpet!!

The smell is bad and I have emailed the rental agency.

Does anyone have any solutions on how to clean it/get rid of the smell ? I am 7 months pregnant and cant even walk into the living room without feeling sick.

[MoonGecko]

Was it noted on the condition report that there was a funky smell?

Its probably soaked through to the underlay, wouldn't necessarily be the carpet that stinks.

Only one way to fix that, replace the underlay

[NancyBlackett]

Try urine off or urine free. You can get them online or from a pet shop.

Alternatively bicarb soda sprinkled all over carpet and vacuumed off a few times.

[Brunfelsia Dreaming]

Should be up to the agent to do something about it - maybe re-cleaned & deodorized or even replaced.

[babybloom]

Yes I did note it in the condition report.

I am a bit distraught and hope the agency will come and inspect it because the smell only become apparent when we were sitting on top of it.

At this stage I can’t image having the baby in the lounge room.

[ShanandBoc]

Thats awful, are animals even allowed at the property? Its not fair that u now have to deal with this. Are u sure the carpets were cleaned? They may need re doing but once should be enough. They prob do need replacing

[peekaboomummy]

You'll need something to break down the enzymes in the urine the pet places should sell a few things that may help but if it was left at all chances are carpet will need replacing

[babalooba]

I agree with emzy, if it has soaked through to the underlay it will need to be replaced. Dog urine is the worst. My fully house trained dog once decided to wee on one of my rugs and I had to throw the darn thing out, I just couldn't get rid of the horrid smell. Ugh.

[Uniquey]

I think if the urine is that bad, no amount of enzyme breaking down liquids (which are ordinarily really effective) will be of much use.

I would say if the Dog was allowed to repeatedly urinate on the carpet that it has possibly gone underneath the carpet pile and onto the floorboards or flooring underneath the carpet.

You have every right to have the agent come out and inspect/smell for themselves and tell you their next plan of action as that is not acceptable after a thorough carpet clean. It is fortuitious that you noted it in your entry report.

I would say the carpets may need replacing.

Just as an aside, if you have rented through an agency and not privately, the last tenants should have been obliged to pest control (flea control) the property if they were knowingly allowed to have a pet/pets on the property.

[MothersMilk]

I have been there and honestly sounds like you need the carpets replaced - the urine is likely soaked through the underlay and maybe even the floor underneath. It is not an acceptable living condition and you need to complain and demand it gets sorted asap - if your email isn't answered ring them and keep complaining.
I feel for you - i bought a house with urine soaked carpet (wasn't noticeable on inspection and the smell intensified after carpet cleaning) and it was so awful i literally gagged entering the house and it was unlivable - we got the smell to 'bearable' (just) with lots of vinegar but that was only very short term until we ripped it up and replaced the carpet. Thankfully the floorboards underneath were not damaged. It was an awful, awful nightmare.

Is there anywhere else you can stay until it is sorted?