Swapping out the carpet in your Capitol Hill 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? A growing number of rental property owners are replacing wall-to-wall carpeting with 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 toughest aspects of having carpet in a rental home is maintaining its cleanliness. Though you might have the carpets professionally cleaned between tenants, they may not maintain them during their stay. If tenants reside for several years, those carpets could be collecting dirt and grime for a long time.
Carpets are notorious for holding bad smells, especially when not cleaned regularly and thoroughly. 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 eliminate carpets is the difficulty 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.
Soaked carpets must be pulled up, and the subflooring, pad, and carpeting need to be dried thoroughly to prevent mold. If the carpet cannot be dried, it has to be replaced. If a flooding situation isn’t dealt with promptly and properly, you could risk your residents’ health and face severe 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 means no need for 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 residents dislike living with old, worn, or stained carpets. If the carpet isn’t regularly replaced, they might consider leaving.
Old carpeting appears unattractive and is frequently hazardous. As carpet gets older, tacks can pop up 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 is similarly priced to carpet but needs less 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.
For a more modern look, consider installing attractive laminate or tile flooring in the main living areas instead of carpet. 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 various sizes, colors, and patterns, including wood-look tiles that can elevate your rental without the cost and hassle of natural hardwood.
Uncover the advantages of hard-surface flooring for rental properties. Contact Real Property Management DC Metro at 202-269-0303 or online for tips on creating cost-effective, appealing interiors that tenants will love. Our property managers in Capitol Hill are skilled in reducing maintenance costs while maintaining tenant appeal.
Originally Published on May 7, 2021
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