It is necessary to replace the carpet in your Westwood rental home every few years, though few landlords enjoy it. Have you thought about permanently removing the carpet from your rental instead? A growing number of rental property owners are replacing wall-to-wall carpeting with hard-surface flooring. 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 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 remain for several years or more, the carpets could accumulate dirt and grime over 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.
Alternatively, hard-surface flooring, including laminate or tile, is easy to keep clean. This flooring can be scrubbed to shine in minutes and as frequently as tenants wish to avoid unpleasant stains or smells. 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. Even a minor plumbing issue can cause major flooding in a rental, and wet carpets can become a significant problem.
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 must 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, other than natural hardwood, is much easier to manage in a flood situation. Properly installed laminate and vinyl are very water-resistant and can be dried out 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 well known that carpets need to be replaced every five years. Some landlords try to extend that to seven years or more—usually to their own disadvantage. Most residents don’t enjoy living on old, worn, or stained carpets. If the carpet isn’t replaced on a regular basis, they may 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 carpets, in particular, don’t endure more than a few years in rental properties.
Conversely, hard-surface flooring has a significantly longer lifespan. While a tenant can damage a hard-surface floor, most tile or laminate flooring can last ten to twenty years or longer. 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
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 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 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. Get in touch with Real Property Management Generations at 310-907-5646 or online for tips on creating cost-effective, appealing interiors that tenants will love. Our property managers in Westwood specialize in minimizing maintenance costs without compromising tenant appeal.
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