Strong cat smell in remodeled home

[Road Rage]

The subject was remodeled in the past year and not occupied. The realtor had the front and rear doors open at the time of the inspection. The cat smell was incredibly strong. This is an FHA purchase. There is a crawl space foundation, so wood subfloor, but the 8.9'x12.8' rear laundry room is on a slab. What would be the appropriate course of action for this? There is zero chance I could find a comparable with a similar situation. Thanks for the help.

 

[J Grant]

The subject was remodeled in the past year and not occupied. The realtor had the front and rear doors open at the time of the inspection. The cat smell was incredibly strong. This is an FHA purchase. There is a crawl space foundation, so wood subfloor, but the 8.9'x12.8' rear laundry room is on a slab. What would be the appropriate course of action for this? There is zero chance I could find a comparable with a similar situation. Thanks for the help.

ask the RE agent why the smell is so strong- were they cat hoaders? Did urine permeate the underfloor of the house?

 

[Tom D]

There ahould be no bad smell in a rehabd house. Likely the old floors and/or joists were not properly sealed. You need certification from someone as to the source and remediation. It will not go away by itself, it's like smoke smell after a fire. So describe it nose wise as best you can. Surprised the buyers don't care. This may not be a small problem, depending on how the floors were redone.

 

[J Grant]

I sppose you could recomend an inspection, mention the odor in the appraisal and ask the agent - idk what else can be done.

 

[glenn walker]

I would assume any buyer either knows or will work it out with the buyer.

The problem is like now your a cat **** smell expert. I do animal rescues and own four cats and in most cases it can be mitigated for $100 bucks unless it's an entire house.

But i can walk the house and tell room by room if its every where but my wife has a nose like a beagle and one spot she panicks. So is it just a spot where a Male cat sprayed ? Which can smell like a whole room ? If so it's not expensive and not a Health and Safety issue

But if I thought the homes carpet throughout was sprayed on by multiple cats I would note the smell and advise carpet to be cleaned.

Now you have to decide..talk to Realtor and ask him or her if they know or make it a conditions ?

 

[Road Rage]

The agent was there. The house has not been lived in since remodel, which leads me to believe the subflooring is permanently stained.

 

[Road Rage]

The smell is more predominant on the first floor and the first floor has vinyl plank.

 

[J Grant]

The agent was there. The house has not been lived in since remodel, which leads me to believe the subflooring is permanently stained.

Maybe the agent knows the backstory - or neighbors do lol. Any old listings on the house pop up? Was it a foreclosure before being rehabbed?

The subflooding or drywall might be hiding stains -that soaked in the subfloor or wood frame - I suppose the only way to find it is an inspection.

 

[Charles West]

The planks probably need to be ripped up, and the flooring steam cleaned and sealed.

 

[Tom D]

Urine like smoke is an acid type smell. You either do it right or it lingers. If i was the owner i would have noticed it during the rehab and wondered why. This is a schlockie rehab. Bring the hammer down.