Although replacing the carpet in your Wake Forest rental home is considered a necessary expense, few rental property owners enjoy it. Alternatively, you might want to consider getting rid of the carpet in your rental for good. Many rental property owners now favor installing hard-surface flooring in their properties instead of wall-to-wall carpeting. Here are some reasons why getting rid of carpet makes a lot of sense for Wake Forest rental property owners and their tenants.
Reason #1: Cleanliness
One of the more challenging aspects of having a carpet in a rental home is keeping it clean. You may be able to have the carpets professionally cleaned between tenants, but the tenants themselves may not be up to the task. Long-term tenants may also mean those carpets have a long-term accumulation of dirt and grime. Carpet fibers are very good at absorbing bad smells especially when the carpet does not get cleaned properly and regularly. Even if your tenants do have the carpet cleaned, they would still appreciate it if they did not have to spend for someone to do it or spend a lot of time doing it themselves.
Hard-surface flooring, like laminate or tile, is easy to clean. These kinds of flooring can be scrubbed clean in a short time and as often as the tenant desires to ensure that there are no stains or bad smells. Unlike carpet, hard-surface flooring is also far more sanitary for young children and individuals with respiratory or other health issues.
Reason #2: Flooding
Another practical reason to give up carpet is the hassle of cleaning up carpets that have been soaked due to water leaks and floods. Even a simple plumbing issue can turn into major flooding inside a rental house, and once carpets are wet, they become a big problem. Soaked carpets, including the sub-flooring, pad, and carpeting need to be dried out thoroughly to avoid dangerous mold growth underneath. If drying the carpet isn’t possible, it will need to be replaced. Not dealing with a flooding situation promptly and correctly could jeopardize your residents’ health as well as open yourself up to serious liabilities.
Other than real hardwood, most hard-surface flooring material can withstand a flooding situation. When properly installed, most laminates and vinyl are very water-resistant and can dry out efficiently. This means no more costly restoration services or flooring replacement.
Reason #3: Longevity
Carpets need to be replaced every five years. Some landlords extend that to seven years only to be met with unpleasant consequences. Residents prefer carpets that are not threadbare or stained and will often leave a rental if the carpet does not meet their standard. Not only does it look bad, but old carpeting is also dangerous, too. As carpet ages, carpet tack emerges from underneath and can cause injury. Cheap carpet lasts only a short time in rental property conditions.
Hard-surface flooring has way more longevity. Hard-surface floors are more likely to withstand tenants’ potential damage, and most tile or laminate flooring lasts for ten to twenty years. At a very similar cost as carpet, laminate flooring needs way less replacing and can be more superior material for rental properties.
Reason #4: Modern Look
Finally, wall-to-wall carpeting can sometimes make a rental property’s interior look outdated. Modern homes usually only have carpets in bedrooms or even none at all. Laminate flooring, instead of carpet, in the main living areas, gives your rental a more modern look. Hard-surface flooring also gives your tenant the option to add rugs or customized decor without having to worry about damaging the carpet. Modern laminate tiles have a variety of sizes, colors, and patterns, including wood-look tiles that instantly upgrade your rental minus the hassle and cost of using real hardwood.
All these benefits of hard-surface flooring make more rental property owners leave carpet behind for good! Would you like more information about how to design beautiful, durable rental home interiors that tenants will love while saving you money? Give Real Property Management Raleigh a call at 919-481-0008. Our team of Wake Forest property managers works with rental property owners like you to lower your maintenance and repairs costs without making your rental any less appealing for tenants.
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