Nothing is more exciting for an engaged couple than buying the home where they will start their married life together.

This spring, one couple did just that, buying a home in Valrico, Florida. They closed on the purchase of the home in early April, and they thought they’d have plenty of time to make minor changes and paint a wall here or there before they got married on May 26.

Then the smell hit them.

“We went in after closing and turned on the AC and took out all the Glade Plug-ins,” the man told the press. “It was pretty fast and pretty distinct when it happened.”

Now, they are suing a real estate agent and her firm for breach of contract, negligence and failure to disclose hidden defects. The house was “uninhabitable,” according to the lawsuit.

The culprit? Cat urine, which they said they hadn’t detected because of the scents used to mask it. As of late July, the couple still hadn’t moved in.

Their lawsuit contends the real estate agent kept as many as 25 cats in the home as part of her work with a cat rescue organization she runs.

The house was advertised as having new paint, baseboards and carpet — which it did. However, those didn’t get rid of the odor.

The real estate firm agreed to replace the air conditioner and the ductwork, the lawsuit said. The man said once the baseboards were taken out for repairs, it was evident that the home had a long history of cat urine damaging the drywall and insulation.

It’s tough to buy a home when everything is perfect. When things don’t go right, it can be demoralizing – and potentially a product of negligence. A Florida attorney with experience in contracts can help you if your dream home turns out to be less than a dream.