Periodically replacing the carpet in your Dunnellon rental is crucial, though few property owners like doing it. Have you ever thought about getting rid of the carpet in your rental permanently? Increasingly, rental property owners are opting for hard-surface flooring over wall-to-wall carpeting. If this notion seems too radical, reflect on some reasons why eliminating the carpet can benefit landlords and tenants.
Carpets may harbor dirt and odor
One of the hardest things about having carpet in a rental home is ensuring it stays clean. Even if you have the carpets professionally cleaned between tenants, they might not keep them up during their occupancy. If tenants remain for several years or more, the carpets could accumulate dirt and grime over time.
Carpet fibers are well known for trapping bad odors, particularly when not cleaned regularly and thoroughly. Even when tenants clean the carpet, they probably want to avoid the expense of hiring someone or the time to do it themselves.
In contrast, hard-surface flooring such as laminate or tile is simple to clean. Such flooring can be scrubbed to shine in minutes and as often as tenants desire, preventing unpleasant stains or odors. Hard-surface flooring is far more sanitary than carpet for young children and those with respiratory or other health issues.
Avoid soaked carpets in case of a flood
Another reason to consider ditching carpets is the hassle of cleaning them after water leaks and floods. A small plumbing issue can result in major flooding in a rental house, and once carpets are wet, they can cause severe problems.
Wet carpets must be pulled up, and the subflooring, pad, and carpeting should be thoroughly dried to prevent 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 for natural hardwood, is much easier to manage in a flooding situation. Properly installed laminate and vinyl are very water-resistant and can be dried out 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 no surprise that carpets have to be replaced every five years. Some landlords attempt to extend that to seven years or more—typically to their detriment. Most tenants are not fond of living with old, worn, or stained carpets. If carpets aren’t regularly replaced, tenants might consider moving out.
Old carpeting appears unattractive and is frequently hazardous. As carpet ages, tacks can come up from underneath and hurt people walking on them. Cheap carpeting, particularly, doesn’t last more than a few years in rental properties.
In contrast, hard-surface flooring has a much longer lifespan. While a tenant can damage a hard-surface floor, most tile or laminate floors will last at least ten to twenty years. Laminate flooring costs roughly the same as carpet but doesn’t need to be replaced as often, making it a better choice for rentals.
Ditch the outdated look of carpets
In the end, wall-to-wall carpeting can make a rental property look outdated. In newer homes, carpet is often kept to a minimum, perhaps only in bedrooms or not at all.
To modernize your rental, think about installing attractive laminate or tile flooring in the main living areas instead of carpet. Unlike carpet, which tenants can’t change, hard-surface flooring lets tenants add rugs or décor items to customize the space without compromising cleanliness or durability.
Modern laminate tile is available in various sizes, colors, and patterns, including wood-look tiles that can upgrade your rental without the cost and hassle of natural hardwood.
Learn about the benefits of hard-surface flooring for rental properties. Reach out to Real Property Management Paradise at 352-565-4303 or online for cost-saving tips on creating attractive, durable interiors that tenants will love. Our property managers in Dunnellon specialize in cutting maintenance costs without sacrificing tenant appeal.
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