Periodically replacing the carpet in your Neenah rental is crucial, though few property owners like doing it. Have you ever thought about getting rid of the carpet in your rental permanently? More rental property owners are switching from wall-to-wall carpeting to 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
Maintaining carpet cleanliness in a rental home is one of the most difficult tasks. Though you might have the carpets professionally cleaned between tenants, they may not maintain them during their stay. Should your tenants stay for many years, the carpets may gather dirt and grime for an extended period.
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. 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 significantly more sanitary for children and people with respiratory or health issues.
Avoid soaked carpets in case of a flood
Another reason to forgo carpets is the difficulty of cleaning them after water leaks and floods. Even a minor plumbing problem can result in significant flooding in a rental, and wet carpets can become a serious issue.
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 cannot be dried, it needs 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. When properly installed, most laminate and vinyl 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 common knowledge that carpets should 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 carpets aren’t regularly replaced, tenants might consider moving out.
Old carpets look unattractive and can be dangerous. As carpets get older, tacks can emerge from underneath and injure people walking on them. Cheap carpets, especially, don’t last more than a few years in rental properties.
In contrast, hard-surface flooring has a much longer lifespan. While a tenant can damage a hard-surface floor, most tile or laminate floors will last at least ten to twenty years. Laminate flooring is priced similarly to carpet but doesn’t need to be replaced as often, making it a better rental choice.
Ditch the outdated look of carpets
Ultimately, wall-to-wall carpeting can sometimes give a rental property an old-fashioned look. Modern homes usually limit carpeting, often to the 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 cannot change, hard-surface flooring allows them to add rugs or other décor items to personalize the space while maintaining cleanliness and longevity.
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 Lakeshore at 920-305-7077 or online for cost-saving tips on creating attractive, durable interiors tenants will love. Our property managers in Neenah focus on lowering maintenance costs without sacrificing tenant appeal.
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