It is necessary to replace the carpet in your Johns Creek rental home every few years, though few landlords enjoy it. Have you thought about permanently removing the carpet from your rental instead? Increasingly, rental property owners are opting for hard-surface flooring over wall-to-wall carpeting. If this concept feels too radical, think about the reasons why fully removing the carpet is beneficial for 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. Should your tenants stay for many years, the carpets may gather dirt and grime for an extended period.
Carpet fibers are well known for trapping bad odors, particularly when not cleaned regularly and thoroughly. Even if tenants clean the carpet, they likely avoid the cost of hiring someone or the time required to do it themselves.
In contrast, hard-surface flooring such as laminate or tile is simple 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 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. A small plumbing issue can result in major flooding in a rental house, and once carpets are wet, they can cause severe problems.
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 for natural hardwood, is much easier to manage in a flooding situation. With proper installation, most laminate and vinyl flooring types are highly water-resistant and can be dried 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 common knowledge that carpets should be replaced every five years. Some landlords attempt to prolong that to seven years or longer—often to their detriment. Most tenants aren’t keen on living with old, worn, or stained carpets. If carpets are not replaced regularly, tenants might think about moving out.
Old carpet looks unappealing and is often hazardous. As carpets age, tacks can protrude and injure those 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 costs roughly the same as carpet but doesn’t need to be replaced as often, making it a better choice for rentals.
Ditch the outdated look of carpets
Ultimately, wall-to-wall carpeting can sometimes give a rental property an old-fashioned look. 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 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 is available in various sizes, colors, and patterns, including wood-look tiles that can upgrade your rental without the cost and hassle of natural hardwood.
Explore the advantages of hard-surface flooring for rental properties. Reach out to Real Property Management Cambridge at 770-296-0938 or online for cost-saving tips on creating attractive, durable interiors that tenants will love. Our property managers in Johns Creek focus on lowering maintenance costs without sacrificing tenant appeal.
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