Carpet and rental properties - is it worth it?

Carpet and rental properties - is it worth it?

While carpet sales rose 0.6% in 2017 to reach a whopping total of 8.83 billion dollars, it’s safe to say that the ever-present flooring option is here to stay. While carpeting can do wonders for the home you just bought, as a landlord you may be questioning as to whether or not it’s the ideal flooring for your rental properties. Whether it be shag, nylon, or polyester, there are some things to keep in mind when deciding if you should put it in your rental properties.

A good investment?

As a landlord, it can be quite easy to decide against installing carpeting in your rental properties, especially if you allow your tenants to smoke indoors, have pets, or are wary about the costs of installment and maintenance. However, if you offer pet-free or non-smoking rentals, carpet can significantly enhance any space you put it in - without the worry of smoke residue or frequent pet staining ruining the carpet. Not only can it help to create a more appealing and comfortable atmosphere, but it can also help to retain warm air, making it great for colder climates. Not to mention you have many options when it comes to the pile, style, and color, which can give your properties an updated and more modern look - making it a great investment for any landlord who’s open to a change. 

The importance of upkeep 

While installing carpet can be a great idea, it’s important to keep in mind that regular upkeep is necessary in order to maintain the benefits of it, specifically when it comes to the look and feel. Heavy foot traffic, occasional stains, and regular wear and tear can all have an effect on the carpets’ overall quality. For that reason, informing your tenants of regular maintenance can help to keep things kept up during their stay, though between tenants, a deep and thorough clean is always a great idea. 

Deep cleaning can easily be done through shampooing, which works much like a vacuum, as well as an appropriate stain or spot remover. However, when it comes to regular vacuuming, it’s important to ensure that you have the correct vacuum on hand depending on the pile - for example, vacuums for thick pile work to provide a proper clean for thicker, shag-like carpets that may not be as effective on other kinds of pile. And, if your properties come furnished, rearranging the furniture between tenants can help to prevent divots in the carpet that can otherwise alter its look.

Replacing your carpet

While maintaining your rental properties’ carpets is a must, it’s also necessary to keep in mind that over time, they will need to be replaced in order to keep the look updated and fresh. With that said, signs that you need to replace your carpets include bald spots, extreme wear and tear, and heavy damage that even deep cleaning won’t fix. Other than that, you may need to simply update the look over time to match what prospective tenants gravitate towards in the current market.

While many may argue that hardwood flooring is the best, carpet can bring many beneficial aspects to your rental properties. When taken care of properly, carpet can add a comfortable and inviting look and feel to any property you may have.