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What Type of Flooring Would You Recommend for Long-term Wear for Rentals?

Dustin Edwards • July 10, 2021

Attractive Flooring that Lasts Helps You and Your Tenant

Flooring for Rentals
Buying flooring for your Long Beach rental can be a daunting process. You want to make the right decision while also remaining within your price range. 

There are a variety of factors to consider. Your rental flooring should be aesthetically pleasing, easy to clean, and built to last. It should provide your tenants with both convenience, a touch of style, and even help to attract the best tenants for your property. 

Furthermore, buying flooring for your rental is not the same as buying for your primary residence. This is a mistake that many new landlords make. It is one that, after it has been made once, is not repeated. We encourage you to discover flooring options below that are ideal for your Long Beach rental. 

Luxury Vinyl Tile
Gone are the days of wall-to-wall carpet. Not only is it a burden to clean, but it also retains hideous stains and is not durable. Additionally, dogs and cats can easily shred and rip up carpet. Though tenants with pets would obviously have to pay for any damages, you would still be responsible for all the work of buying new carpet and hiring an installation service. 

While wood flooring is easier to clean, much like carpet, it is not durable. Wood flooring is prone to scuffs, scratches, and spills. These damages are sometimes permanent. Even if they are fixable, repairs can be expensive. Also, wood flooring is not ideal for humid environments. This poses an issue for rentals in Long Beach. 

All the potential hassles of a rental fitted with carpet or wood flooring can be eliminated by replacing it with much stronger alternatives, such as Luxury Vinyl Tile.

Luxury Vinyl Tile (or LVT for short) is a type of flooring that resembles wood or stone. It consists of three layers - a backing layer to add stability, a photographic layer that displays the design, and a protective layer to promote longevity. LVT’s strong protective layer shields against scratches and water. Whether the bathtub overflows, appliances leak, or your tenant spills a drink, the flooring will remain safe. Moreover, LVT is humidity resistant and preserves heat to keep your tenants’ feet warm, unlike wood flooring which (without proper insulation) is usually cool underfoot. 

Many people are partial to the coziness of waking up and stepping on warm, fluffy carpet. As such, tenants may have an adverse reaction to bedrooms lacking carpet. However, you can put LVT in your rental’s bedrooms and still keep your tenants happy. To help with creating a “warm” environment consider putting down area rugs to offset the usage of the LVT as those can be replaced for each tenant easily and very cost effectively. 

Another positive of LVT is its noise reduction. Although footsteps on wood flooring can commonly be heard around your rental, footsteps on LVT are relatively silent. This makes your rental a quieter place. 

Best of all, LVT is a relatively inexpensive option. According to ImproveNet, material costs run at about $2 to $7 per square foot, and installation costs range between $1 to $4 per square foot. Despite its low price, LVT is visually stunning and rivals the look of wood flooring. For more information surrounding LVT pricing, visit your local flooring retailer.  

Taking all these points into consideration, LVT is arguably the best option for your Long Beach rental. Hiring a property management company can make finding and installing LVT easier. If you would like assistance with flooring or other additions to your rental, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247, or you can check out our Free Rental Analysis online

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By Dustin Edwards December 19, 2024
If you're properties are suffering from lack of heating this winter, these 3 common issues could be the cause.
By Dustin Edwards December 12, 2024
Although Southern California’s winters are typically mild when compared to other parts of the country, tenants still value a warm home during the cooler months. Taking steps to maintain a comfortable living environment shows your tenants that their needs are being prioritized. This is crucial for tenant satisfaction, especially during the holidays. Below are three methods to help keep tenants warm during the winter season. Maintain Heating System It's required for landlords to provide rentals with a working heating system, however, it's not uncommon for these to fall into disrepair either because of lack of maintenance or negligence. Scheduling regular inspections and maintenance before the coldest weather can help to ensure the heating is reliable and efficient. Cleaning air filters, and checking for cold spots, or irregular noises can help prevent small issues from escalating into expensive repairs. Preventative maintenance can help to reduce the chances of inconvenient calls for emergency repairs. Being proactive with your maintenance can also help you protect your investment while earning goodwill from your tenant. Another factor that can affect your heating system is drafts around windows and doors. These drafts can cause your heating system to overwork which makes the system less efficient, and reliable and ultimately reduces the lifespan of your heating system. You can address this by inspecting the seals around doors and windows for gaps or cold spots. Replace worn-out seals and caulking where it's needed. Offer Smart Thermostats Consider providing your tenants with a smart thermostat for energy-efficient heating. This can not only give tenants control over their comfort, but it's also a great tool to reduce energy usage. By providing this upgrade to your tenant, you show a commitment to your tenant’s satisfaction which can in turn result in a long-term tenant. These kinds of devices definitely benefit your tenants, though they can also contribute to the longevity of your rental property as well. Additionally, you can give your tenant a smart thermostat as a holiday gift . This can show your tenant that you’re not simply collecting rent while protecting your investment. Reverse Ceiling Fans The direction in which a ceiling fan rotates is oftentimes overlooked, and it can have a great effect on the temperature of a home. A ceiling fan is typically seen as a way to cool down a home during the hotter seasons without using the air conditioning . Reversing the spin of a ceiling fan can help to circulate warm air more efficiently during the cold season . This is because warm air rises, and a fan rotating clockwise will push the warm air back down helping maintain warm temperatures. Most fans have a switch on the motor and it is easily accessible for most people with a step ladder. This easy adjustment helps reduce the need for your tenant to use the heating system. Tenants will notice a more consistent and comfortable temperature indoors. This should also help reduce costs on their energy bill. Reversing the rotation of the ceiling fans also takes some of the strain off of the heating system. This helps to ensure it operates efficiently for years by reducing the wear and tear on it. Taking proactive steps this winter season to ensure your tenant’s comfort demonstrates a landlord’s commitment to their tenant’s comfort. A comfortable tenant is a satisfied tenant , which can lead to a long-term tenant and steady rental income. Consider it a small investment for long-term success. If you need help keeping your rental warm or managing Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .
By Dustin Edwards December 5, 2024
Discover 3 Gift Ideas for your tenants this holiday season.
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