Dog Urine Daily

[AnnoyednMiami]

I am in Miami Florida. I live on the ground floor of a two story apartment building. The upstairs tenant has about 12 small dogs living in their apartment, 4 of which live exclusively on the balcony above my front steps. There is a drain pipe located directly center above my front steps. The dogs use the bathroom on the balcony and it drains down the pipe right in the middle of my front steps. Sometimes I come outside to find a puddle on the steps or if I'm really lucky I get to see it actively dripping down. The only way to avoid it is to squeeze out of my front gate sideways. I ride my bike and keep it in my apartment by the front door. It's nearly impossible to get it in and out of the house without rolling it in urine or stepping in urine. It's completely unacceptable. I confronted the tenant. That did not go well. I requested that the landlord extend the pipe to the left or the right to avoid the issue and they have not acted on this request for almost a year now. Now, I am considering withholding rent until the issue has been resolved. Is this a reasonable action to take at this point?

 

[Just Blue]

I am in Miami Florida. I live on the ground floor of a two story apartment building. The upstairs tenant has about 12 small dogs living in their apartment, 4 of which live exclusively on the balcony above my front steps. There is a drain pipe located directly center above my front steps. The dogs use the bathroom on the balcony and it drains down the pipe right in the middle of my front steps. Sometimes I come outside to find a puddle on the steps or if I'm really lucky I get to see it actively dripping down. The only way to avoid it is to squeeze out of my front gate sideways. I ride my bike and keep it in my apartment by the front door. It's nearly impossible to get it in and out of the house without rolling it in urine or stepping in urine. It's completely unacceptable. I confronted the tenant. That did not go well. I requested that the landlord extend the pipe to the left or the right to avoid the issue and they have not acted on this request for almost a year now. Now, I am considering withholding rent until the issue has been resolved. Is this a reasonable action to take at this point?

Have you tried calling animal control? 4 is the most dogs you can have in an apartment in Miami...and I would bet it isn't legal to keep 4 dogs on a balcony 24/7.

 

[FarmerJ]

Dont forget your city inspections desk who may be able to order the LL to re direct the drainage away from your entry area.

 

[adjusterjack]

Now, I am considering withholding rent until the issue has been resolved. Is this a reasonable action to take at this point?

No.

The only thing withholding rent gets you is evicted for non-payment.

Try some of the other suggestions.

You might also call your local health department about the constant urine flow.

 

[LdiJ]

I am in Miami Florida. I live on the ground floor of a two story apartment building. The upstairs tenant has about 12 small dogs living in their apartment, 4 of which live exclusively on the balcony above my front steps. There is a drain pipe located directly center above my front steps. The dogs use the bathroom on the balcony and it drains down the pipe right in the middle of my front steps. Sometimes I come outside to find a puddle on the steps or if I'm really lucky I get to see it actively dripping down. The only way to avoid it is to squeeze out of my front gate sideways. I ride my bike and keep it in my apartment by the front door. It's nearly impossible to get it in and out of the house without rolling it in urine or stepping in urine. It's completely unacceptable. I confronted the tenant. That did not go well. I requested that the landlord extend the pipe to the left or the right to avoid the issue and they have not acted on this request for almost a year now. Now, I am considering withholding rent until the issue has been resolved. Is this a reasonable action to take at this point?

How do you know how many dogs are in the apartment or on the balcony? It is important to qualify that if you are going to be making any reports to any local agencies or departments.

 

[adjusterjack]

Photos or video would help.

 

[AnnoyednMiami]

Have you tried calling animal control? 4 is the most dogs you can have in an apartment in Miami...and I would bet it isn't legal to keep 4 dogs on a balcony 24/7.

I called animal control and made a report. They found 12 small dogs in the apartment and on the balcony. They gave the tenant 48 hours to remove the dogs. The tenant took the dogs out of the house and when the animal control returned they were cleared. Now all the dogs are back. Animal Control also said that the 4 dogs on the balcony are not illegal because the balcony is considered shelter and 4 is the limit of dogs. They said the dogs don't have to be walked, they only need food and shelter. So ultimately it seems my problem can be best solved by the drain pipe being changed.

 

[AnnoyednMiami]

Dont forget your city inspections desk who may be able to order the LL to re direct the drainage away from your entry area.

Thank you I will look into this.

 

[Zigner]

Or, call animal control again.

 

[Gail in Georgia]

Yes; I would call Animal Control again and explain that the dogs are back. It is not unusual that hoarders will move animals claiming they have taken care of the situation when in truth they are only hiding them.
If Animal Control shows up again they may end up removing the dogs.

 

[LdiJ]

Yes; I would call Animal Control again and explain that the dogs are back. It is not unusual that hoarders will move animals claiming they have taken care of the situation when in truth they are only hiding them.
If Animal Control shows up again they may end up removing the dogs.

I agree, although depending on how small the "small dogs" are, I am not sure that 12 meets the level of hoarding. Many years ago I had a teacup chihuahua and 12 of those wouldn't have been hoarding. It would have been too many, but would not have reached the level of hoarding...nor would it likely have resulted in the kind of urine problem that the OP is having. My little teacup didn't pee more than about a tablespoon at a time LOL.

 

[Gail in Georgia]

Very briefly looking up the ordinance in Miami the number of dogs depends on the acreage of the property. Under 1 acre is limited to 4 dogs. Size of the dogs is not discussed in the ordinance.
I once had a "feist" that weighed under 5 pounds. I swear that thing produced 10 pounds of urine each time. It was also a challenge to potty train her and we went through carpet replacement in 2 hallways, the master bedroom, the dining room and the living room.