Even when they know that replacing the carpet in their Shoreline rental home every few years is a necessary expense, few rental property owners enjoy it. So, why not think about getting rid of your rental’s carpet altogether? Hard-surface flooring is now more favorable for rental property owners compared to wall-to-wall carpeting. This might be a bit extreme for some but there are some good points about getting rid of carpet that make many Shoreline rental property owners and tenants seriously consider this option.
Reason #1: Cleanliness
Anyone who has a carpet in their rental home knows the difficulty of keeping it clean. While it may be easy to have the carpets professionally cleaned between each tenant, the tenants themselves might not do it themselves. If you have tenants who stay for several years, those carpets could be accumulating dirt for years. Carpet fibers are known to hold onto bad smells especially if the carpet is not cleaned properly and regularly. Your tenant may not also enjoy having to spend for someone to clean it or they may not have the time to do it themselves.
Hard-surface flooring, like laminate or tile, in comparison, is easier to maintain. A few minutes of scrubbing can make these types of flooring shine and can encourage tenants to keep it free from stains or smells. Unlike carpet, hard-surface flooring is also far more sanitary for young children and individuals with respiratory or other health issues.
Reason #2: Flooding
One more reason to give up carpet for good is the hassle of cleaning up carpets that become soaked because of water leaks and floods. Plumbing issues can lead to major flooding inside a rental house, and wet carpets quickly become a serious problem. Soaked carpets have to be pulled up, and the sub-flooring, pad, and carpeting dried immediately and thoroughly to avoid any mold growth. If drying the carpet becomes impossible, you have to replace it. You could compromise your residents’ health and expose yourself to some serious liability if you do not address flooding situations promptly.
Most types of hard-surface flooring (other than real hardwood) fare better in flooding situations. Properly installed laminate and vinyl are very water-resistant and easily dry out. You can eliminate the need for expensive restoration services or flooring replacement!
Reason #3: Longevity
It is common practice to replace carpets every five years or so. But some landlords try to save and stretch that out to seven years or longer not realizing this can be disadvantageous. Residents do not like living on top of thin, stained carpets and tend to leave a rental if the carpet isn’t replaced in a timely manner. Aside from just looking bad, old carpeting is also often dangerous. Old thin carpets make it easy for carpet tack to emerge from underneath and injure those who walk on it. Cheap carpet also doesn’t last long under rental property conditions.
Hard-surface flooring enjoys more longevity. Given the ways a tenant could potentially damage a hard-surface floor, most tile or laminate flooring lasts at least ten to twenty years. Laminate flooring costs just as much as carpet but since it doesn’t need frequent replacement, it can be a better option for rental properties.
Reason #4: Modern Look
Finally, wall-to-wall carpeting can sometimes make a rental property’s interior look outdated. Most modern homes keep carpet to a minimum, usually just a small one in the bedroom, or none at all. A laminate flooring instead of carpet in the main living areas will give your rental a more modern look. Compared to carpet, which a tenant cannot change, hard-surface flooring gives tenants the flexibility of adding rugs or other decors without compromising on cleanliness or longevity. Modern laminate tiles come in different sizes, colors, and patterns, including wood-look tiles that can easily upgrade your rental’s aesthetic without the cost and hassle of hardwood.
With all these benefits of hard-surface flooring, you can easily see why some rental property owners are leaving carpet behind for good. Would you like more information about how to design beautiful, durable rental home interiors that tenants will love while saving you money? Give Real Property Management Eclipse a call at 425-209-0252. Our team of Shoreline property managers works with rental property owners like you to lower your maintenance and repairs costs without making your rental any less appealing for tenants.
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