When selling a home with a history of pets or smoking, the fundamental rule is to disclose it rather than hide it. Odor and wallpaper damage are often cost-effective to address, and for the right buyer, they don't necessarily have to be a major downside.
- Disclosing a history of pets or smoking, rather than hiding it, is the fundamental rule.
- Residents themselves often can't smell it — it helps to have a third party, such as your agent, check.
- Re-papering just the affected sections of wallpaper is one of the more cost-effective countermeasures.
- In a pet-friendly building, a pet history tends to already be factored into what buyers expect.
- On the day of a viewing, moving pets outside or holding off on smoking indoors can help.
Hiding it is the biggest risk
Buyers often pick up on a past pet or smoking history from odors or marks during a viewing. If you go ahead with a sale without disclosing this and it comes to light after handover, it can become a source of disputes over non-conformity with the contract terms. You're better off being upfront about the facts and pairing that disclosure with the countermeasures you've taken — it tends to help you avoid trouble down the line. The fact that contracts and the statement of important matters include a section for pet and smoking history is itself a practical safeguard built in to prevent this kind of dispute.
Dealing with odor
Everyday household smells, pet odor, and tobacco smell are things residents themselves often stop noticing. Rather than judging for yourself, it's worth asking a third party, such as your agent, for a candid assessment. From there, ventilating the space, using deodorizers, and arranging professional cleaning where needed can improve the impression a buyer gets during a viewing. We also cover a general checklist for preparing for viewings in sell-26.html. After taking odor countermeasures, checking again after some time has passed makes it easier to judge objectively how effective they were.
Damage to wallpaper and fixtures
Yellowed wallpaper from tobacco smoke, and scratches on fixtures or flooring from a pet, are things buyers tend to notice during a viewing. Re-papering just the affected sections of wallpaper is considered one of the more cost-effective ways to improve the impression a space makes. On the other hand, a full renovation usually isn't necessary, and pricing the home as-is with the condition already factored in is also an option. It's worth discussing with your agent which approach suits your situation. We also cover whether renovation or cleaning is needed before a sale in sell-15.html. If the damage covers a wide area, costs will vary depending on how much needs re-papering, so it's worth getting quotes for comparison if multiple areas are affected.
A pet-friendly building changes the picture
If the property is in a building that already allows pets, buyers are often looking with the assumption that they'll keep one themselves, so a pet history tends to already be factored into what they expect. In fact, being pet-friendly can even become a selling point for prospective buyers. Noting clearly in viewing materials and listing information that the property allows pets can help it catch the eye of buyers who are considering keeping one.
Tips for the day of the viewing
On the day of a viewing, if possible, take pets outside or keep them in a crate — it helps buyers look around the space more calmly. Keep areas around litter boxes and feeding stations especially clean. If you smoke, holding off on smoking indoors during the listing period is also an effective odor countermeasure. We also cover tips for handling viewings while still living in the home in sell-06.html. Small touches like these on the day help create an environment where buyers can take their time looking around.
Frequently asked questions
Should I tell the buyer that I kept a pet?
Disclosing it is the fundamental rule. Buyers often notice it during a viewing anyway, and if it comes to light later, it can become a source of disputes. Be upfront about it, and pair the disclosure with the countermeasures you've taken.
The wallpaper has yellowed from tobacco smoke. Should I re-paper it?
Re-papering just the affected sections of wallpaper is one of the more cost-effective countermeasures. A full re-papering usually isn't necessary, and pricing the home as-is with the condition factored in is also an option. It's worth discussing with your agent.
Does a pet history lower the sale price?
It depends on how noticeable the odor or damage is. If the building allows pets and the buyer is planning to keep one themselves, it tends to be less of a downside.
Summary
A history of pets or smoking is something to disclose honestly, not hide. Start with the cost-effective countermeasures — odor treatment and re-papering affected sections of wallpaper — and prepare in consultation with your agent.