Cat Urine Odor...Security Deposit.

[Ginny Watson]

My inherited tenant is vacating this month and has already moved out. She gave me permission to paint and get the carpets cleaned ahead of actual vacating (mistake?). I have always smelled cats but assumed/hoped the smell was in their furniture. The place is empty, the floors look great, new paint looks great but the smell is still there. I have located the biggest problem area which is in a gap between the laminate flooring and the door jam. But, I think the the problem is pervasive throughout the first floor. Don't even know about the carpets on the 2nd floor yet. Preliminary research points to the possibilty that I might have to replace the floor and even the sub floor. I'm concerned about having to keep all or some of the $1400 security deposit and getting sued.

More info. She gave her notice 14 days into my ownership. I raised her rent to include additional pet fees. She only had 2 pets on her lease but had 4 living with her. I'm not sorry to see her go. 2 labs and 2 cats in 1046 sqft 2 level town home was inappropriate. So, my point is, I don't have any track record with her to know what she is likely to do. Don't want to eat the cost of the floor...don't want my new tenants to smell the odor...don't want to get sued. How shall I proceed wisely?