The Carpet In This TikToker’s New Apartment Smells Rancid, But The Property Management Office Is Refusing To Do Anything About It
Finding rental properties online has never been easier since platforms like Zillow and Trulia have come to market.
Nonetheless, even with the ability to “virtually tour” properties, vetting listings from afar is still quite tricky.
One woman has been dealing with the struggle of leasing a falsely advertised apartment and took to TikTok to air her frustrations with property management companies.
“I recently moved into this apartment, and it has been about a month and a half. I moved from out of town, and they offered me a virtual tour,” the woman began.
“Everyone in the leasing office had been extremely kind and very helpful. But you know what they cannot show you in a video tour? Smells,” she continued.
Upon move-in day, the TikToker excitedly headed over to her property manager’s office, picked up her key, and went to visit her new home. But, she instantly knew something was off.
“I walked in, and the aroma immediately hit me. It was like a Labrador and a Weimaraner got out of a lake and then rolled around all over this carpet for at least ten years,” the woman explained.
The carpet did not only smell this way, either. It was literally still damp. So, the TikToker headed back to the property management office in hopes of getting to the bottom of the issue.
TikTok; pictured above is this woman in her video
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Instead, the office claimed they had just gotten the carpet “professionally cleaned” and that the smell would “go away when the water evaporates.”
So, they simply advised the woman to make sure her ventilation was on and to light a candle.
“I was thinking to myself that that does not sound right. But, I had all my furniture and stuff with me,” the woman said.
So, unfortunately, she continued moving in without another choice and tried her best to live with the smell.
“A day later, I came to the conclusion that the smell could not be masked. No amount of Yankee Candles could ever get rid of this stench,” the woman said.
She emailed the office explaining how the smell actually got worse and was “turning rancid.” But, she never heard back from the office and believed that their “helpful demeanor” in the office was a “facade.”
Forced to take matters into her own hands, the TikToker tried vacuuming, agitating the carpet, shampooing the carpet, washing the walls and baseboards, and even buying four different brands of commercial pet enzyme treatments.
“The smell has actually gotten even worse despite my best efforts. So, at this point, I absolutely believe there is bacteria or some such thing growing in the padding of this carpet,” the woman explained.
She described how her nostrils, lungs, throat, and eyes have all been burning from the putrid ammonia vapors.
“This is against the minimum standards for housing codes in my city. I am going to sue y’all,” the woman finished.
Her TikTok has since reached over one hundred and twenty thousand people and gained about twenty-eight thousand likes.
Over five hundred commenters shared her rage toward property management companies and encouraged the woman to pursue legal action.
“The hatred that I have for housing companies who have tenants saying their space is unlivable and all they get back is radio silence,” one user commented.
“Refuse to pay the rent until they fix it,” wrote a second user.
“Get a letter from a lawyer threatening to sue. They are going to remove that carpet real quick,’ advised a third commenter.
“Call the health department and request an inspection stating your claims. They will search the WHOLE property,” added a fourth commenter.
The woman has not since posted an update on her smelly carpet situation. But, she did reveal that she is refusing to pay rent until the issue is resolved.
What would you do in her situation? Have you ever signed a lease or rental agreement without viewing the property in person? Was it up to standard?
To watch the original TikTok video, visit the link here.
@fernesgully My carpet has been making me sick. I’ve tried it all, everything. This isn’t my responsibility I don’t have pets. if they don’t replace it – I’m taking this to court #apartment #fyp #storytime #legal #asthma #mytruth #aparmentliving #complacent #legaltok #tenantproblems
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