It is necessary to replace the carpet in your Rockland County rental home every few years, though few landlords enjoy it. 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 idea appears too extreme, think about why completely removing 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. Despite professional cleaning between tenants, they may not maintain the carpets themselves during their stay. If tenants stay for years, the carpets may accumulate significant dirt and grime over time.
Carpet fibers are known for clinging to bad odors, particularly if they aren’t cleaned regularly and adequately. Even if your tenant has the carpet cleaned, they likely prefer to avoid the cost or time involved.
Conversely, hard-surface floors like laminate or tile are easy to clean. These types of flooring can be cleaned to shine in minutes and as often as tenants want, ensuring no unpleasant stains or odors. Unlike carpet, hard-surface flooring is much more hygienic for young children and people with respiratory or health issues.
Avoid soaked carpets in case of a flood
Another reason to get rid of carpets is the trouble of cleaning them after water leaks and floods. Even a minor plumbing issue can cause major flooding, and wet carpets can become a significant problem in a rental house.
Wet carpets must be pulled up, and the subflooring, pad, and carpet should be dried immediately and thoroughly to prevent mold. If the carpet cannot be dried, it needs to be replaced. Failing to handle a flooding situation promptly and correctly can risk your residents’ health and lead to severe liability.
Most hard-surface flooring, aside from natural hardwood, is much easier to deal with in a flood. If properly installed, most types of laminate and vinyl are highly water-resistant and can be dried efficiently. This means there will be no need for costly restoration services or replacing flooring, just a focused clean-up.
Hardwood floors have a longer lifespan
It’s well known that carpets need to be replaced every five years. Some landlords try to extend this to seven years or even longer—usually to their own detriment. Most tenants don’t like living on old, worn, or stained carpets. If the carpet isn’t replaced on a regular basis, they may think about moving out.
Old carpets look unattractive and can be dangerous. 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.
Conversely, hard-surface flooring has a significantly longer lifespan. 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
Lastly, wall-to-wall carpeting can sometimes give a rental property an outdated appearance. Newer homes usually have minimal carpet, often just in bedrooms or not at all.
For a modern look, consider replacing the carpet in the main living areas with attractive laminate or tile flooring. 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 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.
Discover why hard-surface flooring is beneficial for rental properties. Contact Real Property Management Priority at 845-363-6776 or online for cost-saving tips on creating attractive, durable interiors tenants will love. Our property managers in Rockland County are skilled in reducing maintenance costs while maintaining tenant appeal.
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