Choosing the Right Flooring Option for Your Rental

If you’ve decided to transform your property into a rental, you are probably aware that the changes you need to implement have little to do with your preferred aesthetic. No matter how responsible your future tenants are, you have to account for the wear and tear of nearly everything in the home. It won’t hurt to think about the ROI either unless you are embarking on this journey simply out of your love for interior design. This is especially true when it comes to flooring, seeing how this is where most of the inevitable damage occurs. But how exactly do you go about choosing the right flooring option for your rental when there are so many factors to consider? Stay tuned to find out.

Factors to consider when choosing the right flooring option for your rental:

If the price or personal taste were the only things you needed to think about, this article probably wouldn’t exist. However, since that is not the case, let’s look at a few essential factors you need to consider before you opt for a suitable flooring option for your rental.

1. Durability 

Before you become a landlord, there are two vital things you need to accept. The first one is that wear and tear is normal and expected. The second – not everyone will take care of your property the way you would like them to. Therefore, to prevent many headaches in the future, it might be better to stay away from particularly sensitive materials when it comes to flooring. While intentional damage and reckless behavior are by no means things you should tolerate, it’s always better to think ahead and make your rental as durable as possible.

2. Price

We already mentioned the return on investment, but it certainly won’t hurt to mention it again. When choosing the right flooring option for your rental, it’s essential to find that sweet spot between affordable and expensive. You want your flooring to appeal to potential tenants, but you don’t want to spend so much money on it that you cannot get it back through the rent in a reasonable time frame.

You will likely have to account for a few additional expenses other than the sole price of the material. If you’ve already furnished your rental or if you need to move out for it to become one, you might need to hire a moving crew to deal with moving-related tasks. Even more so if you are a senior trying to enjoy life to the fullest with the help of your passive income. A few extra sets of hands will ensure safety, speed, and better quality of work.

3. Type of tenants

Figuring out who your ‘target audience’ is is a must when implementing changes in your rental. Are your future tenants going to be students or families with young children? Will you be renting out to singles or couples with pets? The type of people who will occupy your property should play a major role in the process of choosing suitable flooring materials. While stereotypes are certainly not something you should abide by, in this case, they can help you make the right decision.

Types of flooring options suitable for rentals

4. Tiles

A classic in the flooring world, and for a good reason! Tiles are durable, easy to clean, and perfect for those particularly messy areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. However, they do come with a hefty price tag, and most people probably wouldn’t be too keen on having tiled floors in their living room or bedroom. Additionally, if and when the tiles suffer damage, you shouldn’t count on repairing them, which isn’t ideal when you can’t be sure the tenants will take good care of the property.

5. Hardwood

Hardwood floors have been all the rage lately, and it’s easy to understand why. They are easy on the eyes, and their maintenance isn’t exactly rocket science – if you know what you are doing. Moreover, hardwood is more comfortable to walk on than tiles, and it’s easy to dress up or down, depending on the tenants’ preference. Even though this kind of flooring is not cheap, it should last for a long time with proper care. Scratches and other types of damage are also relatively easy to fix. So, if you are confident that the future residents will be able to keep it in decent condition – go for it!

6. Laminate

Laminate is another flooring option that has steadily been gaining popularity. It is much more affordable than hardwood, but its price doesn’t sacrifice the appeal. The fact that it’s pretty sturdy and easy to install doesn’t hurt either! Still, if you opt for laminate, pay attention to the quality you are getting since there are many different kinds on the market. Additionally, it might be a good idea to avoid it in the kitchen or any other area where spills and moisture are common, as laminate flooring is not the most waterproof option out there.

7. Carpet

Although many people consider it outdated, carpeting is an excellent option for bedrooms and other areas without much foot traffic. It requires a bit of elbow grease to clean and maintain, but it makes up for that with its coziness and exceptional insulating properties. Still, if you plan to rent to college students or people with kids and pets, it might be better to opt for something a bit less headache-inducing.

8. Vinyl

If the price is your main concern when choosing the right flooring option for your rental, you’ll be happy to hear that you don’t have to break the bank to raise the value of your property. Contrary to popular belief, vinyl flooring doesn’t have to look cheap. A wide variety of colors, patterns, and shapes make this material worthy of consideration. However, even though it is fairly resilient, cuts and nicks are its biggest enemies, and when they become an eye-sore, replacing the flooring might not be the easiest of tasks.

Meta description: Planning to upgrade your property to attract more tenants? Here’s what you need to know about choosing the right flooring option for your rental.

Brought to you by Guest Author, Lisa Roberts, from Homegrown Moving Company. Homegrown Moving is a locally owned and operated relocation company, that will provide you with stress-free moving experience you will remember.

Hosted by…

TJC Real Estate & Management Services • 303.324.6988 • info@tjcrealestate.com

Your Neighborhood Realtors® Since 2005

© 2021