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Let me paint you a picture of what it’s like when things go catastrophically wrong with pet ownership by your tenants. When they leave, they may also leave behind:
For me, it was dog sh*t.
When my tenants were evicted by the sheriff, they left me with another parting gift. The entire side of my house has dog shit. Several layers of it, trapped in snow. We got rid of what we could. After the snow rolled in, the ice melted and then now we are left with old and damp poop.My partner spent an entire day using a metal shovel to scrape off the walkway.
He was so traumatized by this that he had to throw away his clean-up clothes and shoes.
Evictions are messy, literally..
Please treat pets with care and respect.They are part of your family!
Weiting Bollu, Co-Founder, Openroom
We cleaned up this mess ourselves and it was NOT pleasant. I want to share what I have learned on how I could have done it better. If it helps you even a little bit, I’ll consider it a victory.
As a landlord, I honestly did not think this was going to be an issue I would have to deal with, until it happened to me.
It may or may not be your own experience, but the likelihood of you having tenants with pets in Ontario are quite high. A 2022 study by the Canadian Animal Health Institute found that over 80% of Canadian households own at least one pet.
The table below outlines a tenant’s right to pet ownership in Ontario and British Columbia.
As you can see, Ontario’s legislation is much more permissive than BC’s. So, if you’re a landlord in Ontario, be prepared to manage the consequences of pet ownership on your property.
The only exception in both BC and Ontario is when it comes to condo units. Condo corporations have governing documents that can limit or prohibit owners, tenants, and other occupants from keeping pets or specific types of pets through their bylaws.
In Ontario, you can get more information from the Condominium Authority of Ontario.
For British Columbia, you can find more information on the BC government's website on Strata pet bylaws.
If you know your tenant has pets, then be prepared to deal with all the possibilities that come with it. When my tenants were evicted, there were two possible scenarios.
Let’s break this down.
Animal Services are unable to retrieve any pet without the owner’s consent. If your tenant left the property and abandoned their pets before the eviction date, you will have to wait until the eviction date has passed and inform the Sheriff of this situation when they arrive to provide vacant possession of your property.
In the meantime, DO NOT ENTER the property.
You don’t know how long the animal(s) have been left indoors. They may have experienced abuse or neglect. They may be under a lot of stress. This is not a hypothetical situation. It has happened. Global News covered a horrifying story on this. Watch this video below.
If your tenants have pets and they have vacated before the eviction date, contact the Sheriff by calling the Court Enforcement Office to inform of this situation. They will advise on next steps. I cannot stress how important it is to keep yourself safe.
This is what happened to me. My tenants and their pets both left my property, but they left behind a HUGE MESS.
The sight, smell, and horror still stays with me till this day. As I explained in my reel, my (AMAZING) partner did the work of cleaning all the sh*t from the side of our house. We went in with little knowledge on how to handle this situation. Now I know that there are more ways we could have handled this.
I mentioned that one of the damages pets can cause is to your furniture and electrical system. When it comes to damaged furniture and cables, you have to assess if it is worth your time and resources to fix the damage or get rid of it. If you choose to get rid of it, read How to Handle Junk Left Behind by Evicted Tenants to get a head start on the process.
When it comes to animal feces and urine, there is no option to leave it or clean it. It must go.
Apart from the awful smell, you are also exposing yourself to health risks. The Canadian Public Health Association outlines the following human diseases that are transmitted by dog feces:
If you have little ones, ensure they are as far away as possible from the waste. Keep them away from the property until after you’ve had it thoroughly cleaned.
For cleaning up feces, there are two ways you can go. You can clean it up yourself/with the help of family and friends, or you call in professionals to do the job. Either way, the goal is to get all this mess out of the way as fast as you can.
The goal is to get all this mess out of the way as fast as you can.
If you choose the option of cleaning it without the help of professionals, here are some precautions and best practices.
Before tackling any animal waste cleanup, landlords must prioritize safety. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential to prevent exposure to harmful pathogens.Pet feces and urine can contain bacteria and pathogens, such as salmonella and leptospirosis, which can be harmful if they come into contact with your skin or if inhaled.
Always wear disposable gloves, preferably made of nitrile or latex, to create a barrier between your skin and the animal feces. A face mask or respirator is also crucial to avoid inhaling potentially harmful particles or odors associated with animal waste.
In cases of extensive fecal contamination, consider wearing protective eyewear and disposable coveralls to shield your clothes and skin from splashes or accidental contact.
Proper footwear, such as rubber boots or disposable shoe covers, is also recommended to prevent tracking contamination to other areas of the property.
Use tools like a scoop, shovel, or rake to remove solid waste, especially if it's accumulated in one area. Some specific animal feces cleanup tools include a spring-loaded pooper scooper or a spade scooper.
Avoid direct contact with feces or urine, especially if you have any open cuts or wounds, as harmful bacteria can enter your body through these vulnerable areas.
Use absorbent materials like paper towels or cat litter to soak up any liquid waste. For solid waste, use a disposable scoop or cardboard to carefully remove as much as possible without spreading it further.
After removing the bulk of the waste, apply a disinfectant solution specifically designed for animal feces. Allow the solution to sit for the recommended time to ensure proper sanitization.
Remember that different surfaces may require different cleaning approaches. For example, carpets may need steam cleaning, while hard surfaces can be scrubbed with a disinfectant solution.
Safe disposal of animal feces is crucial to prevent environmental contamination and public health hazards. Double-bag all waste material, including used cleaning supplies and PPE, in sturdy plastic bags.
Thorough cleaning and sanitization is crucial for eliminating harmful bacteria, preventing the spread of zoonotic infections, and maintaining the property's value. Let's explore effective techniques for deep cleaning and sanitization.
When it comes to cleaning products for animal waste removal, enzymatic cleaners are highly effective. These cleaners contain beneficial bacteria that break down organic matter, including feces and urine. Look for products specifically designed for pet waste, as they target the proteins found in animal excrement.
For sanitization, use a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) or quaternary ammonium compounds. These disinfectants kill a wide range of pathogens associated with animal feces. Always test cleaning products on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure they won't damage the surface.
Different surfaces require specific cleaning approaches. For carpets and upholstery, start with a thorough vacuum, followed by steam cleaning or hot water extraction. This method helps remove deeply embedded waste particles and sanitizes the fabric. For hard surfaces like tile or hardwood, use a scrub brush with the enzymatic cleaner, then follow up with a disinfectant mop.
In cases of severe contamination, consider hiring a professional cleaning service with experience in biohazard remediation. They have specialized equipment and knowledge to handle extensive fecal contamination safely and effectively.
Animal waste often leaves behind persistent odors and stains. To combat odors, use products containing activated charcoal or zeolite, which absorb odor-causing molecules. Avoid using ammonia-based products, as these can actually intensify urine odors.
For stains, oxygen-based cleaners can be effective on both hard surfaces and fabrics. In severe cases, you may need to replace carpeting or repaint walls to fully eliminate odors and stains. Remember, thorough cleaning and sanitization not only improves the property's condition but also helps prevent future health risks associated with animal feces management.
In some cities, animal control is managed in partnership with the area’s Humane Society. Your first stop would be to call your area’s local authority and ask to speak to someone from the animal enforcement/animal & pets division. You will get a clearer idea on how to proceed after this.
If you're facing a rental unit where multiple pets have lived unchecked, or where animal waste has seeped into subflooring or wall cavities, it's time to call in the experts. These scenarios often involve biohazards that require specialized handling to ensure proper sanitation and eliminate health risks.
Another clear indicator that you need professional help is when standard cleaning methods fail to remove odors or stains. Persistent smells or discoloration after your own cleaning efforts suggest that contaminants have penetrated deep into materials, requiring professional-grade solutions and equipment for effective removal.
When choosing a contractor for fecal contamination remediation, look for companies with specific experience in biohazard cleanup. Check their certifications and ask about their protocols for handling animal waste. A reputable company should be able to explain their cleaning process, including the types of disinfectants they use and their methods for ensuring complete sanitization.
It's crucial to verify that the contractor is properly insured and follows all relevant health and safety regulations. Ask for references from previous clients, particularly other landlords who have used their services for similar situations. This can give you valuable insights into their reliability and effectiveness in dealing with extensive animal waste cleanup.
Professional animal waste cleanup services can be costly, but they're often necessary to protect your property's value and ensure it's safe for future tenants. Get detailed quotes from multiple contractors to compare prices and services offered. Be wary of unusually low estimates, as they may indicate inadequate cleaning procedures or hidden fees.
Check your landlord insurance policy to see if it covers any part of professional cleaning services, especially in cases of extensive damage. Some policies include coverage for biohazard remediation, which could help offset the costs. If your current policy doesn't cover these situations, consider updating it to include this type of protection for future incidents.
Don’t forget this one. I also had my ducts cleaned. If my tenants could leave piles of feces around the house, my ducts were also probably clogged from shedding fur.
Even if your property did not go through extensive damage, pet ownership inherently comes with these responsibilities. If your property has housed pets for a number of years, it is good practice to get them cleaned out.
Pet hair and dander can quickly accumulate in air ducts, leading to several issues:
Watch for these indicators that your ducts may need cleaning:
In conclusion, pet ownership can bring unexpected challenges for landlords, especially when tenants fail to properly care for their animals or leave behind a mess upon eviction. As my own experience illustrates, the cleanup process can be overwhelming and unpleasant, with property damage, health hazards, and significant time and effort required to restore the space. However, by being informed about the laws, taking preventive measures, and knowing when to call in professionals, landlords can better manage the impact of pets on their rental properties. Ultimately, a proactive approach will help protect both your property and your sanity.
To learn more about the process leading up to my eviction, read The Landlords Guide: When Tenants Are Not Paying Rent in Ontario and A Landlord's Guide to the LTB's N4 - Notice to End a Tenancy Early for Non-payment of Rent.
If your tenants have been evicted but they still owe you rent, read Debt Recovery: How to enforce an LTB order in Small Claims Court and the Landlord’s Guide to Skip Tracing and Examination Hearing in Ontario.
Weiting's entrepreneurial journey began with a costly lesson in rental property management, where she experienced losses exceeding $35,000 due to non-paying tenants. Determined to prevent others from facing similar challenges, she built Openroom to pave a future towards a transparent and connected rental ecosystem.
Drawing from her extensive background in software product management spanning education, telecommunications, insurance, and artificial intelligence, Weiting has become a trusted advisor to founders of venture-backed companies. Beyond the tech sphere, Weiting managed properties for over a decade and made significant contributions to community leadership. She’s served on the Board of Rotary District 7070 and chaired various organizational committees.
Weiting balances her professional endeavours with being a parent of two kids under two. Alongside thousands of other parents, she was awarded participation trophies in innovative improvisation, ever-changing expectations management, daily roadmap planning, and hardcore patience!
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