Rotten smell in hallway, neighbours away and I’m concerned about missing cat

[ohyesido]

Just that really. I’ve noticed a nasty fishy smell in the hallway of the apartment building I live in. My neighbours are away, they regularly go to their home country in Eastern Europe. Haven’t seen them for a couple of weeks.

This is relevant because they have a very friendly cat who I have not seen for a while and I know they won’t have taken her with them

i am thinking the worst, what should i do? DH says I should ring 101, would they care?

Is there a landlord/agent - or are you both property owners?

If the cat is dead and making the smell then 101 won't be much help.

A fishy smell can be caused by burning electric wires.

Does anyone have their contact details, the rspca or cat protection may be able to gain access. Can you see anything through the letterbox.

This

I dont think a dead cat would smell of fish would it?

I don’t know, it just smells strong and unpleasant like something rotten

Who feeds the cat when they're away?

Maybe its rotten cat food, its been warmer this week. Do you know where the cat usually goes when they're away.

Are you sure both your neighbours have gone abroad?

😱

seriously, I’d ring 101. You haven’t seen your neighbours for weeks and there’s a rotten smell. 🤷‍♀️

I’d call 101, yes. Not for the cat but neighbours. How many stories do we read about people dying and not being found for weeks, years in some instances… The worst that will happen is the police find nothing at all (not even the cat) and it’s some old food or something.

I think I am actually worried about what’s in there. I looked through the letterbox and saw nothing, but the stench is overwhelming.

they regularly go away for extended periods, we don’t generally talk much other than the odd hello if we pass in the hallway. I don’t know if they have made any provisions for the cat, other than I doubt they can take her on an EasyJet flight.

Just call the police OP. Tell them about the rotten smell from the flat and that you haven't seen your neighbours for a while.

Call police or council environmental health

Surely they wouldn't have just left the cat?! 😢

@ohyesido Call the police OP and say there's a vile rotting smell from the flat above. Say you think the flat is empty but don't go into details about why or the cat etc. There's been a lot of high profile cases recently with people dying in flats and not being discovered for ages, so they should take it seriously. Also it could be an electrical fault (fire hazard) etc. I really don't think this should be ignored. And I really, really hope the cat is OK and that it's something else like a smelly bin.

DH is going in

He's breaking in?

Has he got a key or is he breaking in, why didn't you just call the police

Your husband is breaking into their house?

Why not just call the police?

Oh stop clutching your pearls

Ah ok so you're just bored. Got it.

No, I’m concerned about the cause of the smell and no he’s not breaking in. He tried to gain access to see if the cat was inside