One of the most valuable assets of your York rental property is its flooring.
Luckily, there are many affordable and stylish options available to suit your individual needs.
Understanding the different types of flooring options you can put into your rental property makes it easier to create a visually appealing space prospective tenants will want to live in.
However, you need to take it upon yourself to know which type of flooring is best for your investment property, your bottom line, and the tenants that will be leasing from you.
That’s why today we are going to give you some expert-approved flooring tips so that you place the right kind of flooring in your rental property, as well as outline the different options available so you know what there is to pick from.
What to Consider When Looking For Your York Rental’s Flooring
There are some things to take into consideration if you are thinking about re-doing the flooring in your investment property.
In fact, your York property manager will likely tell you that you should start by considering things like your budget, the room location and function, the flooring’s durability, and the installation price and process. You should also think about the required maintenance of the flooring you are placing in your property, since your tenants will be the ones caring for the new floor.
Still not sure which type of flooring is best for your rental?
Check out these helpful guidelines:
- High-End Properties Demand High-End Flooring. If your rental is the type that is packed with high-end appliances and other amenities, it is important you install flooring to match. After all, tenants are not going to be happy with a poor quality flooring in an expensive rental that demands high rent rates. Just make sure you collect enough of a cleaning deposit at the start of the lease term in case your tenants damage the high-end flooring you spent top dollar on.
- Long-Term Tenants Demand Long-Term Flooring. If you have tenants in your rental that like to renew their leases each year, it is a good idea to install a durable flooring that can withstand the normal wear and tear that is bound to happen. Flooring such as high-grade carpeting, hardwood floors, or even tile are good options when it comes to putting long-lasting flooring in your rental.
- Quick Turnarounds Demand a Middle Ground Flooring. If your rental is located in an area that experiences high turnarounds, such as a college town, you might want to consider a middle-ground flooring that will be durable enough to last a few tenancies, but not be too expensive to re-do every now and again for new tenants. Flooring in properties that experience high turnover needs to be easily maintained, not easily dirtied, and inexpensive enough to be upgraded on a regular basis.
- The Weather Has a Say in What Type of Flooring You Choose. It’s important your take into consideration the type of weather your rental property will experience. For instance, rain, humidity, and snow have the potential to damage hardwood thanks to cracking and rot issues. Colder climates typically require warmer flooring such as carpet. And lastly, warmer climates may require a cooler flooring type such as tile or laminate.
As you can see, the type of flooring you and your property manager in York, PA choose for your rental property will depend on a variety of factors that all must be weighed before making a decision.
Best Flooring Options for Rental Properties in York, PA
Here is a look at some of the flooring options available that will help you make the right decision for your rental property.
1. Carpet
Carpet is quick and easy to install. It is extremely cost effective and is one of the most popular choices amongst rental property owners.
The problem with carpet, however, is that it is difficult to maintain. Normal wear and tear by your tenants is sure to dirty and damage the carpet. This means professional cleanings will be required in between tenants, as will regular replacement of the carpet, which you will have to pay for out of your own pocket.
In addition, odors, stains, and worn down carpet is hard to remedy without replacing it all. This is why you should consider whether to allow smoking in your rental, or pets, as these two factors have the potential to damage your carpet beyond repair.
2. Hardwood
Hardwood flooring is durable, beautiful, and the highest quality flooring you can place in your rental property.
It is long-lasting, despite being expensive, which actually makes it cost effective in the long run, so long as you have good tenants leasing from you that don’t damage the flooring. Not to mention, for cold winters such as the ones York, PA experiences every year, hardwood is a natural insulator of heat and isn’t as cold as something like tile.
If your property is located in a humid area, you might consider installing engineered hardwood floors so that it doesn’t fall victim to moisture, rotting, and cracking, all of which can dip into your positive income.
The great thing about hardwood floors is that they add a lot of value to your rental and, with the help of professional York property managers, have the potential to command higher rent rates than your competition.
Keep in mind, however, that hardwood flooring is susceptible to things such as scuffs and scratches, which can be expensive to fix, even if minor.
3. Laminate
Laminate is a great alternative to hardwood flooring because it has the same look as hardwood, without the added expense and maintenance.
Designed using bits of recycled hardwood floor, laminate is easy to maintain, does not attract pests or rot (even in humid areas such as York), and can be used in many different rooms, regardless of their function.
The one downfall of laminate in your rental is that it is difficult to install on your own if you don’t know what you’re doing. That’s why investing in a professional is essential if you want your property to maintain its appeal with potential tenants.
4. Tile
If you are looking to re-do the flooring in your rental’s bathroom or kitchen, tile is an excellent option. It can have a classy yet simple look, can be customized to match the color scheme of the room, and is easy to maintain, making things easier on your tenants.
It is important to keep in mind, however, that grout has the potential to become very dirty over time. That’s why choosing the right color, and making sure your tenants care for the tile during their tenancy, is crucial to keeping your tile intact for long periods of time.
If installing tile in your rental is too expensive, a great alternative is vinyl. Though not as durable as tile, vinyl is cost effective, customizable, and is highly resistant to things such as mold, mildew, and moisture, making it perfect for rooms such as bathrooms and laundry rooms.
5. Linoleum
Linoleum is another low cost flooring option that works well in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. It is easy to maintain, easy to clean, and lasts long enough for tenants to get good use out of without having to complain their flooring is falling apart.
That said, linoleum is prone to ripping and staining if it’s not cared for properly, which can end up costing you more than you might expect in between tenancies.
However, if you own multiple rental properties, and money is on your mind, installing linoleum in your rental property may be the best option for you.
6. Eco-Friendly Options
These days, property managers in York are finding that more tenants than ever are looking to move into environmentally friendly rental homes. They want to spend less money on utilities and reduce their carbon footprint in as many ways as possible.
If you are thinking about installing eco-friendly flooring in your rental property, consider the following options:
- Concrete. You may not realize, but concrete flooring is highly inexpensive, easy to maintain, and can be customized to be visually appealing in your rental property. Concrete requires less energy to produce, prevents against mold and mildew, and can be recycled, making it very eco-friendly.
- Cork. Another popular flooring type that is also eco-friendly is cork. It is easy to install, is water-resistant, and the energy used to produce it is renewable. In fact, cork is created by stripping the outer layer of bark off of trees, without killing them, so that the trees can continue to grow.
If you own rental property, and are curious to know which type of flooring best suits your property needs, contact York H-G Properties today.
Our York property managers are dedicated to helping investors make the best choices when it comes to visual appeal, finances, and setting the highest rent rates possible.
Further, we will inform your tenants of their responsibilities when it comes to caring for your new flooring, collect the right security deposit amounts to protect your investment during tenancies, and make sure that any damage done to your flooring that exceeds normal wear and tear is handled appropriately at the end of the lease term.
