Landlord's Guide to Flooring in a Rental Property
At some point, you
will want to change the flooring in your rental property. The reason may be
that the flooring has lost its appeal after serving you or the former owner for
many years. This is the most common reason landlords replace the flooring in a
rental property, says Windermere Property
Management.
Another reason may be that you are renovating the property and want to upgrade the flooring to something that will match the other changes you have made in the rental. You may also want to change your flooring to something easier to manage.
Regardless of your reason for wanting to replace the flooring in your rental, you still need to decide what kind of flooring to install. Choosing a flooring material that matches your rental needs can be challenging with the number of flooring options.
The flooring in a rental property matters because:
- Because
flooring changes the ambiance of the entire home, it can work with or against
the overall design of the rental to improve or diminish its appeal.
- The flooring is
one of the first things potential tenants see; the wrong choice will hurt
your ability to attract the best tenants. Flooring also influences the
rental rate for rental.
- The flooring
you choose has implications for the operational cost of the property. The
wrong flooring will make it more complicated or expensive to maintain your
rental.
What is the best
flooring option for a rental property? What criteria should you use when
selecting that flooring? Below are the things you want to consider when
choosing flooring for a rental.
- Cost: Cheap
flooring in an upscale rental or expensive flooring in a low-budget rental
doesn’t make sense. Flooring should justify the price point for the rental.
- Durability: How long do
you expect the floor to last? You have a choice between flooring that you
will replace every few years and flooring that will last for decades.
- Installation: The cost of
installing the floor and the time it takes are essential. If the rental is
already in operation, do you want flooring that will take ages to install?
- Maintenance: How much work will you and your tenants need to do to keep the flooring clean? Is the floor easily damaged?
The best flooring options for a rental property
1. Hardwood
Hardwood can be sanded, resurfaced, or stained to give
it a different look. Hardwood floors are so durable that they can last a
lifetime. When it comes to flooring, hardwood is in a class by itself. No other
flooring comes close to the appeal and character you get with hardwood, which
is why no other flooring is often designed to mimic hardwood. The only issue
with hardwood floors is cost. Hardwood floors are not the cheapest option and require
a bit of care. They are best for upscale rental properties.
2.
Tile
Tile
is a highly versatile flooring option with various colors, designs, and
finishes. Tile is available at various price points and is very durable. The
problem with tiles is that it has limited application. Tiles won’t work in some
rooms because they don’t convey that sense of warmth which is often a huge factor
for prospective renters.
Also, tile floors feel cold underfoot; they may not be
the best option when trying to create comfort. Tile is best used in areas where
moisture and dirt are significant issues; entryways, mudrooms, laundry, kitchen,
and bathroom.
3.
Vinyl plank
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This is one of the most popular flooring options for
rental properties, partly because they let you recreate the appearance of
hardwood flooring without the cost of natural hardwood. Vinyl plank is
affordable and easy to install; it can go over the existing flooring in your
rental (no need to spend money tearing up the old floor).
Vinyl planks come in two varieties; a glue-down
version and click-in vinyl planks. Both types of vinyl planks are easy to
install, come in several color options, and are easy to clean.
4.
Carpet
Finding another flooring option that offers the level
of coziness you get with carpets is hard. The trouble with carpets is that they
get dirty quickly and are easily damaged (rips, stains, and fraying). Also, you
can only clean carpet floors so often, so they are not a very durable option.
That said, carpets are still a great flooring option
if you use them correctly. Carpets are an excellent choice for bedrooms. You
can also deploy area rugs in different parts of the home; they can go over
hardwood floors, tiles, or vinyl planks to add more warmth to a room.
Thanks for reading from Capell Flooring and Interiors,
Rob - Guest Post from Windermere Property Management
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