Changing the carpet in your Raleigh rental home regularly is necessary, but most property owners don’t enjoy it. 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 idea sounds too extreme, here are some reasons why removing the carpet entirely benefits landlords and tenants.
Carpets may harbor dirt and odor
Keeping carpet clean in a rental home is one of the more challenging aspects. Though you might have the carpets professionally cleaned between tenants, they may not maintain them during their stay. When tenants stay for several years, those carpets might accumulate dirt and grime for years.
Carpets are notorious for holding bad smells, especially when not cleaned regularly and thoroughly. Even if the tenant cleans the carpet, they probably prefer to avoid the cost of hiring help or spending their own time.
In contrast, hard-surface flooring such as laminate or tile is simple to clean. These types of flooring can be cleaned to shine in minutes and as often as tenants want, ensuring no unpleasant stains or odors. 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, 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 drying the carpet is not possible, it must 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, other than natural hardwood, is much easier to manage in a flood situation. Properly installed laminate and vinyl are highly water-resistant and can be dried efficiently. This means avoiding 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 this to seven years or even longer—usually to their own detriment. Most residents don’t enjoy living on old, worn, or stained carpets. If the carpet is not replaced regularly, tenants may consider moving out.
Old carpeting appears unattractive and is frequently hazardous. As carpets get older, tacks can emerge from underneath 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, in contrast, has a much longer lifespan. 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
Lastly, wall-to-wall carpeting can sometimes give a rental property an outdated appearance. Newer homes often limit carpet to bedrooms or avoid it entirely.
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 décor to customize the space while maintaining cleanliness and 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.
Explore the benefits of using hard-surface flooring in rental properties. Reach out to Real Property Management Excellence at 919-827-1107 or online for cost-saving tips on creating attractive, durable interiors that tenants will love. Our property managers in Raleigh are skilled in reducing maintenance costs while maintaining tenant appeal.
Originally Published on May 7, 2021
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