Swapping out the carpet in your Afton rental home every few years is important, yet most landlords dislike the task. Why not consider getting rid of the carpet in your rental property for good? Rental property owners are increasingly opting for hard-surface flooring instead of wall-to-wall carpeting. If this suggestion seems drastic, consider these reasons why getting rid of the carpet makes sense for both landlords and tenants.
Carpets may harbor dirt and odor
One of the toughest aspects of having carpet in a rental home is maintaining its cleanliness. Although you may clean the carpets professionally between tenants, they might not take care of them during their tenancy. If tenants reside for several years, those carpets could be collecting dirt and grime for a long time.
Carpet fibers are known for clinging to bad odors, particularly if they aren’t cleaned regularly and adequately. Even if tenants clean the carpet, they probably prefer not to spend money on professionals or their own time on the task.
Conversely, hard-surface flooring like laminate or tile is easy to maintain. These types of flooring can be cleaned to shine in minutes and as often as tenants want, ensuring no unpleasant stains or odors. Compared to carpet, hard-surface flooring is far more sanitary for children and individuals with respiratory or health issues.
Avoid soaked carpets in case of a flood
Another reason to forgo carpets is the difficulty of cleaning them after water leaks and floods. Even a small plumbing issue can lead to severe flooding in a rental, and wet carpets can become a big problem.
Wet carpets need to be pulled up, and the subflooring, pad, and carpeting must be dried immediately to prevent dangerous mold growth. If drying the carpet is not possible, it must be replaced. If you fail to address a flooding situation promptly and correctly, you could risk your residents’ health and face serious liability.
Most hard-surface flooring, except natural hardwood, is much easier to handle during a flood. With proper installation, most laminate and vinyl flooring types are highly water-resistant and can be dried efficiently. This eliminates the need for costly restoration services or flooring replacement, just a thorough clean-up.
Hardwood floors have a longer lifespan
It’s well known that carpets need to be replaced every five years. Some landlords attempt to extend that to seven years or more—typically to their detriment. Most tenants don’t like living on old, worn, or stained carpets. If carpets are not replaced regularly, tenants might think about moving out.
Old carpeting appears unattractive and is frequently hazardous. As carpets get older, tacks can emerge from underneath and injure people walking on them. Cheap carpet, specifically, doesn’t hold up for more than a few years in rental properties.
Hard-surface flooring, on the other hand, is much more durable. While tenants can damage hard-surface floors, most tile or laminate flooring can last at least ten to twenty years. Laminate flooring costs about the same as carpet but doesn’t require frequent replacement, making it a better choice for rentals.
Ditch the outdated look of carpets
Finally, wall-to-wall carpet can sometimes make a rental property look dated. Newer homes usually have minimal carpet, often just in bedrooms or not at all.
To update your rental’s appearance, consider installing attractive laminate or tile flooring instead of carpet in the main areas. Unlike carpet, which tenants can’t change, hard-surface flooring allows tenants to add rugs or other décor items to personalize the space while keeping it clean and durable.
Modern laminate tile comes in a wide range of sizes, colors, and patterns, including wood-look tiles that can upgrade your rental without the expense and hassle of natural hardwood.
Uncover the advantages of hard-surface flooring for rental properties. Contact Real Property Management Presidential at 434-422-5591 or online for tips on creating cost-effective, appealing interiors that tenants will love. Our property managers in Afton are skilled in reducing maintenance costs while maintaining tenant appeal.
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