It is necessary to replace the carpet in your National Harbor rental home every few years, though few landlords enjoy it. Have you thought about permanently removing the carpet from your rental instead? More landlords are now choosing hard-surface flooring instead of wall-to-wall carpeting in their rental properties. If this idea sounds too extreme, here are some reasons why removing the carpet entirely benefits landlords and tenants.
Carpets may harbor dirt and odor
One of the more challenging parts of having carpet in a rental property is keeping it clean. Though you might have the carpets professionally cleaned between tenants, they may not maintain them 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 your tenant has the carpet cleaned, they likely prefer to avoid the cost or time involved.
Conversely, hard-surface flooring like laminate or tile is easy to maintain. This type of flooring can be scrubbed to shine in minutes and as often as tenants like, ensuring no unpleasant stains or smells. 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 consider ditching carpets is the hassle of cleaning them after water leaks and floods. Even a small plumbing issue can lead to severe flooding in a rental, and wet carpets can become a big problem.
Wet carpets need to be pulled up, and the subflooring, pad, and carpeting must be dried immediately to prevent dangerous mold growth. If the carpet can’t be dried, it needs to be replaced. If you fail to address a flooding situation promptly and correctly, you could risk your residents’ health and face serious 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 eliminates the need for costly restoration services or flooring replacement, just a thorough clean-up.
Hardwood floors have a longer lifespan
It’s widely understood that carpets must be replaced every five years. Some landlords attempt to prolong that to seven years or longer—often to their detriment. Most residents dislike living with old, worn, or stained carpets. If carpets aren’t regularly replaced, tenants might consider moving out.
Old carpet looks unappealing and is often hazardous. As carpets age, tacks can protrude and injure those walking on them. Cheap carpets, especially, don’t last 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 about the same cost as carpet but requires less frequent replacement, 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. Newer homes typically minimize carpet, using it only 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 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.
Discover why hard-surface flooring is beneficial for rental properties. Contact Real Property Management Gold at 301-392-2172 or online for tips on creating cost-effective, appealing interiors that tenants will love. Our property managers in National Harbor focus on lowering maintenance costs without sacrificing tenant appeal.
Originally Published on May 7, 2021
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