[identity profile] inkarn8.livejournal.com posting in [community profile] davis_square
Does anyone know whether the tenant or Landlord would be responsible for cleaning up the smell of an apartment after a skunk has sprayed near or under a house? They skunk has already been evicted and barred from getting under the porch or house. It may still get into the yard. Some of the tenants are saying the house is "uninhabitable" per section 10 of the standard lease form and as such the landlord is totally responsible for cleaning, loss of wages, rent for that period etc. and more...

Date: 2013-02-26 09:32 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] koshmom.livejournal.com
I don't believe any "cleaning" would work, since to clean a skunk smell you have to eradicate the stench at it's source, i.e. crawl under the house to find where the skunk actually sprayed it's smelly liquid, and douse it there. About all a "cleaning service" would do is likely what they'd do in the case of a smokey fire: wash all walls and all furniture and all clothing, open the windows, and let it air out. Nature's Miracle skunk odor remover would likely be what they'd use, and it would cost a lot. By the time they were done "cleaning" the airing out of the building would likely have cleared out the scent anyhow. Having professional cleaners in would likely disrupt the family more than a simple airing out of stuff.

Suggestion: get a gallon of the skunk odor remover, dump it into a spray bottle, and spray everywhere near where it's worst. Open all windows and set some fans blowing towards the windows/doors. Hope for a couple of mild, clear days.

One note: the house is not "unlivable". The human nose will become accostomed to the scent, and while other people may smell it, the people involved won't be able to. So they'll be able to sleep, etc. Just shower a few times and launder and ask someone who doesn't live there to sniff you to ensure you're not accidentally too offensive. Also, about a week after the place is aired out, ask a friend with a good nose to give your house and belongings a "sniff test" to ensure that nothing remains.

Good work places will understand your issue, and besides some goodnatured jibes, it's no real disaster.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=24505

edit: from my reading of emannths's link, the owner is responsible to keep the premises clear of skunks. This has been done, according to your original post. I didn't see anything in that document that says the owner is responsible for cleaning up the scent and/or "damage".
Edited Date: 2013-02-26 09:37 pm (UTC)

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