Cat Damage to Apartment

10 years ago

I've lived in the same apartment for 5 years, and in that time my cats have ruined it. The carpet is trashed from my male cat peeing all over it (I try to keep up with cleaning it, but I'm fighting a losing battle) and just today I noticed the female cat has been peeing juuust outside her litterbox and getting it on the wood laminate floor in the bathroom, and it seems to be seeping under the planks. Any cleaning/training tips would be appreciated, but the bigger question is if I should tell the property manager.

Maybe they could tell me how they want me to address the problem (or give me an estimate of cost of damage so I can start saving..). If at all possible I wanted to take care of it myself and hope no one notices when we move out in October, but it doesn't look like that will happen. I'd rather not spend a fortune trying to clean it and paint, etc if the property manager will also charge me for the damage.

Please help! I just don't know what to do. We live in Texas, if anyone knows about some laws/renters rights that may help me.

Featured Answer

xarcady

10 years ago

I think you need to do two things to start.

1. Read your lease. It may have information about how much you will be charged for the damages.

2. Google Texas landlord/tenant law. That will tell you what your landlord can and can't do.

Someone suggested replacing the flooring. I would suggest checking your lease carefully before doing that--you might end up getting charged for making unauthorized changes to the apartment. A friend of mine lost half her security deposit once, for painting one room in her apartment without permission. My guess is that the landlord/property management company have specific types of flooring that they prefer, for cost, maintenance and longevity reasons, and if you replace the flooring with anything else, they will be able to charge you for it.

Cat pee is the hardest smell to completely remove. You will need something like Nature's Miracle, and you will need to use lots and lots of it, if you attempt to remove the pee smell before you leave. If you don't try, you will probably be charged for that, too.

Check out the Pets forum for tips on litter box training. A few suggestions--get a larger litter box. Some people use large plastic totes, with an opening cut in one side to allow the cats easier access. The higher sides contain litter and sprayed pee, and the larger size is more comfortable for some cats.

Clean the box daily. If you have two cats, you should have two boxes, or if you only have space for one box, clean that box twice a day. Finicky cats won't use a dirty litter box.

Try some different litters. If a cat doesn't like the smell or feel of the litter, they won't use the box.

If your male cat isn't neutered, you could get him neutered. That sometimes helps with a spraying problem.

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Comments (12)

PRO
Elite Interiors & Furniture Gallery
10 years ago
Is the male neutered? If the female is peeing outside the litter box; are you keeping it clean if you are she may have a urinary tract infection & you need to take her to the vet.
Jackie S
Original Author
10 years ago
He is neutered, but he has always preferred using the carpet (or rugs or towels,etc) instead of the litter box. The female just got fixed, so that may have contrubuted to her problem. I'm currently more concerned with how to resolve the problem as it stands. Do I tell the property manager? Does anyone know of a way to clean under laminate without ripping up the whole floor?
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nosoccermom
10 years ago
What kind of subfloor do you have?

I'd post your question in the cleaning forum, but I think once it's seeped under the laminate, there's nothing you can do anymore.
stolenidentity
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
You should look at your lease to answer this question. Your pet deposit may or may not cover damages. I don't know of a way to remove urine damage once it seeps through the carpet and subfloor. Good luck.
sephia_wa
10 years ago
Should tell the property manager?

Just invite the property manager in - let them do the "sniff" test. With all that pee, on the wood laminate floor, on the carpet, seeping under the planks, your apartment probably smells like a big litterbox.
PRO
Elite Interiors & Furniture Gallery
10 years ago
Inviting the property management in may result in an eviction notice being issued so if this is the course you take be aware in the case you are not ready to move at this time.
christine 5b
10 years ago
I would NOT invite the property owner in to do the "sniff" test !!!! Contact a contractor and get an estimate from him on the repairs, most estimates are free.
sephia_wa
10 years ago
Christine - I was merely being facetious. I was imagining an apartment with all that pee, must really stink.
elpaso1
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
The week before you move, board cats, and get carpet and pad and linoleum removed and mop nature's miracle or urine gone on to subfloor. Place boxes of arm and hammer baking soda in each room. Clean walls with clorox clean up. Install new flooring before moving out. That should take care of smells.

Or just plan on paying for damages over your sec dep and pet fee. Apply for credit card now if you don't have one with several thousand dollars available.

In tx you are responsible for paying for damages over your sec dep.
Jackie S thanked elpaso1
User
10 years ago
They will have to replace the carpet and maybe the wood flooring. If I were you, I would replace it now myself, because they will charge you much more, plus sue you and charge you legal fees. No way after all these years of your cat peeing on the carpet are they not going to notice it. You'll either end up paying for it or you'll end up with a judgment against you on your record, which will ruin your credit.
User
10 years ago
Please read this website: http://www.catinfo.org./?link=litterbox
Jackie S thanked User