Regularly replacing the carpet in your Arcadia rental home is essential, but not many landlords find it enjoyable. Why not consider getting rid of the carpet in your rental property for good? More rental property owners are switching from wall-to-wall carpeting to hard-surface flooring. 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 more challenging parts of having carpet in a rental property is keeping it clean. Although you may clean the carpets professionally between tenants, they might not take care of them during their tenancy. If tenants stay for years, the carpets may accumulate significant dirt and grime over time.
Carpet fibers are notorious for holding onto unpleasant odors, especially when not cleaned frequently and thoroughly. Even if your tenant has the carpet cleaned, they likely prefer to avoid the cost or time involved.
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 eliminate 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.
Soaked carpets must be removed, and the subflooring, pad, and carpet must be dried immediately and thoroughly to avoid mold growth. If the carpet can’t be dried, it needs to be replaced. If a flooding situation is not handled promptly and correctly, you could endanger your residents’ health and face severe liability.
Most hard-surface flooring, except natural hardwood, is much easier to handle during a flood. If properly installed, most types of laminate and vinyl are highly water-resistant and can be dried efficiently. This means avoiding expensive restoration services or floor replacement, just some focused clean-up.
Hardwood floors have a longer lifespan
It’s widely understood that carpets must 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 carpet looks unappealing and is often hazardous. When carpets age, tacks can emerge and harm people walking on them. Cheap carpet, especially, doesn’t last more than a few years in rental conditions.
Hard-surface flooring, however, lasts much longer. While tenants can damage hard-surface floors, most tile or laminate flooring can last at least ten to twenty years. Laminate flooring is priced similarly to carpet but doesn’t need to be replaced as often, making it a better rental choice.
Ditch the outdated look of carpets
Finally, wall-to-wall carpet can sometimes make a rental property look dated. Newer homes typically minimize carpet, using it only 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 cannot change, hard-surface flooring enables them to add rugs or décor items to customize the space without sacrificing cleanliness or durability.
Modern laminate tile comes in many sizes, colors, and patterns, including wood-look tiles that can enhance your rental without the cost and hassle of natural hardwood.
Discover why hard-surface flooring is beneficial for rental properties. Contact Real Property Management Fairmate at 626-691-9749 or online for tips on creating cost-effective, appealing interiors that tenants will love. Our property managers in Arcadia are skilled in reducing maintenance costs while maintaining tenant appeal.
Originally Published on May 7, 2021
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