My 'landlord' = joke

[Monroe]

What is the name of your state? Montana

I don't even know where to start.
problem number
1)I have a neighbor, with a large aggresive dog. (Live in same triplex, same LL)
He likes to let it outside with no leash, and it has charged at myself, my girlfriend, an employee of mine, as well as another neighbor.

I've called the police and animal control, and they won't do anything to prevent it.
Everytime I've called, he claims his dog was only barking, and not aggressive in anyway.
I've sent my LL a certified letter asking them to solve the situation, as well as notitifed them over the phone, and they say they won't do anything due to the fact that he denies everything.

Is there anything I can do? Feels like I've hit a dead end, with no results.

2) Since winter is over here for the most part, I decided to shampoo my carpets. To start with, I just rinsed with cold water using a rug doctor (to help lift anything that may get set in by heat, or by detergents) And now my apartment stinks like cat urine. I have not gone any further. But when you enter my apartment, its like getting hit in the face with a board.
I did not put any cat urine smell on my walk through sheet, because at that time, you couldn't smell anything (Apartment had been vacant for awhile)
I've never had a cat in this apartment, I infact had to give away my cat to an employee of mine just so I could get this apartment.

Can I be held liable for this? Should I contact my property management company and tell them?

Thanks for any help

 

[Alaska landlord]

Rug Doctor and similar rug cleaners only wet the carpet and drive the dirt further down. Hire a professional company to clean and treat the carpet. If the dog attacks you, you have the right to protect yourself using extreme measures if you know what I mean.

 

[Monroe]

Rug Doctor and similar rug cleaners only wet the carpet and drive the dirt further down. Hire a professional company to clean and treat the carpet. If the dog attacks you, you have the right to protect yourself using extreme measures if you know what I mean.

thank you for the quick reply.

I've been so strung out over both issues, I'm losing sleep.
I even ordered an infra red night vision security camera to place in my window to get evidence of him letting his dog loose. Also hoping it tries to charge at me again with the camera in place.

Im not sure if the carpet was ever cleaned before I moved in. Even 'cleaning' areas where I dont walk (where i've had stuff stacked since i moved in) , the water that was sucked back into the machine was pitch black and nasty.

I think the problem is in the carpet pad. Will having a professional clean it solve the cat urine smell?

 

[ecmst12]

You can try cleaning it with a solution intended for pet stains.

 

[dollyllama]

Im not sure if the carpet was ever cleaned before I moved in. Even 'cleaning' areas where I dont walk (where i've had stuff stacked since i moved in) , the water that was sucked back into the machine was pitch black and nasty.

I think the problem is in the carpet pad. Will having a professional clean it solve the cat urine smell?

The Rug Doctor is quite a handy machine. I've seen it to do miracles. But I would call a proffessional if you can't get rid of the smell. As for the carpet being black and nasty, that's dirt. The more you clean the carpet, the less the water will be black. I would try again, only go somewhere else and use a different machine. I would rent one from the same place you got the last one. Its a possibility that it was the machine and not the carpet itself. I have a cat and never once has my carpet smelled like cat pee. But if someone left water in the tank for awhile before returning it, it will soak into the plastic. Rent one from Lowe's or Ace Hardware and see if that cures the problem. Go with an odor eliminating one a well... The carpet padding could be the problem if the carpet and pads have never been changed before. Over time, stains set in and soak into the bad. That's why stains keep coming back up even after cleaning (not saying this is an issue with you).

As for the dog, I'd get witnesses to back you up. Kudos on the camera. I also have a neighbor who is believed over all other persons so I understand the frustration of being in the right. Good luck!

 

[Monroe]

You can try cleaning it with a solution intended for pet stains.

at $24.00 for a gallon of enzyme based urine cleaner/neutralizer, I don't believe I should have to do it. (on the instructions, it says to use it straight, which would take me 20 gallons or so to do my entire apartment)

 

[xylene]

Steeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaam

Rug doctor carpet cleaners are 'wet process'. It soaks the carpet and leaves soapy residue. Very poor performance, and the soaking can worsen carpet problems and lead to underpad mold if drying conditions are unfavorable.

The ONLY effective way to clean carpet AND underpad are by the use of a professional steam extractor.

The steam will sanitize the carpet and pad. The powerful extractor suction and the steam will remove dirt and contaminants.

In an apartment this should cost about 59 to 129 dollars depending on size, carpet area and furniture.

Repeated cleaning may be needed for severe odors using any cleaning method. However steam will deliver the best results, and as a dry process will prevent down-migration of contaminants.

 

[Monroe]

Rug doctor carpet cleaners are 'wet process'. It soaks the carpet and leaves soapy residue. Very poor performance, and the soaking can worsen carpet problems and lead to underpad mold if drying conditions are unfavorable.

The ONLY effective way to clean carpet AND underpad are by the use of a professional steam extractor.

The steam will sanitize the carpet and pad. The powerful extractor suction and the steam will remove dirt and contaminants.

In an apartment this should cost about 59 to 129 dollars depending on size, carpet area and furniture.

Repeated cleaning may be needed for severe odors using any cleaning method. However steam will deliver the best results, and as a dry process will prevent down-migration of contaminants.

I was told that steam cleaning can actually lock in odors, especially pet smells.
Something about the chemicals that they use can cause the protien in the urine to bond to the carpet/pad fibers

 

[aabbcc]

Odors from cat urine are next to impossible to remove from carpet. If the urine soaked into the pad, you will never get rid of the smell unless you replace the pad and carpet. If you pull up the carpet and look at the backing, you will clearly see (and smell) the offending areas.

 

[Monroe]

Is my landlord then responsible for the costs of cleaning it? It seriously stinks.

 

[xylene]

I was told that steam cleaning can actually lock in odors, especially pet smells.
Something about the chemicals that they use can cause the protien in the urine to bond to the carpet/pad fibers

Well the 'chemical' in steam cleaning is dihydrogen monoxide (H2O, water), no soap involved.

I am talking about real dry live steam cleaning, from a steamer truck.

Not hoover or rug doctor style "steam cleaner", which is just hot water and soap on a regular househould vacuum.

 

[xylene]

Is my landlord then responsible for the costs of cleaning it? It seriously stinks.

Did you ask your landlord?

 

[Monroe]

Did you ask your landlord?

Of course they'll say no, I'm just wondering what the legal standing of it is

Can I send them a certified letter requesting it be cleaned with 14 days, and then if not deduct the costs from my next rent check?

 

[Monroe]

Update:
I talked to a local restoration and cleaning company.
They said they can steam clean it then spray an odor neutralizer of some sort, and then extract a 2nd time.

They also offered to come give me a quote in writing stating the cost to clean, deodorize, and which type of urine it smells like(cat, dog or human), and if it is, or if its not, a preexisting issue in the carpeting.
With the quote stating what the problem is, and if it does state that it was pre-existing, will this hold up in court if i have to fight to get the LL to pay for it?

 

[Alaska landlord]

Is is really worth it to take the LL to court over such a small amount. If I were the LL, I too could come up with a letter saying that this was not preexisting.

BTW, I doubt they can determine if it was preexisting dating back to the time you first started your lease. But, for your money they would be more than willing to work with you on that.