Do I have to disclose cat urine when selling my house?

**tristar76** · 08-24-2009, 08:24 AM

We are trying to sell our house. Over the past couple of years, our cats have at times urinated in the basement. I have sealed the cement parts of the floor and cleaned the carpets thoroughly. Some smell urine faintly, some don't. I'm afraid if I even bring up cat urine, prospective buyers will run the other way. How far do I have to go, if at all, to disclose the extent of the problem? It is not specifically asked in the Indiana seller's discloser whether or not you owned pets.

**markbrian** · 08-24-2009, 10:07 AM

I think you need to ask your agent since they will be familiar with Indiana disclosure law.

**tucsonhomes** · 08-24-2009, 03:25 PM

My experience is that disclosing cats is not a problem, they are "self disclosing". However it is always sound advise to listen to your real estate broker.

**dansullivan** · 08-25-2009, 09:38 AM

You are right in that the State of Indiana Seller's Disclosure Form does not require you to disclose anything about cats or their urine. However, if a prospective buyer or buyer's agent should ask about cats you must be honest and tell them about the cats. From experience I can tell you that cat urine can be very obvious to an outsider when entering a house no matter how much cleaning has been done. I have learned that cat urine can permeate the air and might even crystallize on some objects. In spite of this houses with cats do sell. Good Luck!

**Arizona Real Estate** · 09-26-2009, 01:58 PM

I agree with Mark

**Nick Brian** · 10-03-2009, 04:37 PM

Yes you have to disclose cat urine when selling your house. It's the same I guess in Scotts Valley. Indiana has no restrictions but sell it without hiding anything.