While property management can be a great investment, it also comes with certain risks. As a rental property owner, you know there isn’t much that is worse than investing thousands of dollars into a property, then finding thousands of dollars worth of damage to it after a tenant moves out. When preparing a unit for rental, it is important to “tenant proof” the property as best as possible. This will mitigate the extent of damage that could be inflicted by a bad tenant.

A great way to “tenant proof” a unit is through choosing more durable carpeting. There are loads of options available with varying price points and durability. The carpeting you select can have an immense impact on the general cleanliness of the property. If stains caused by dirt and liquids are not cleaned in a timely manner or at all, a deep clean may be necessary, which can get expensive. Here, we will explore what kind of carpet is best in a rental property:

Your tenants are one of the most essential factors to consider when looking for carpets. Will you be renting to a family with small children? Will potentially rowdy college students be living there? Will you allow pets? These types of details can assist you in assessing the type of traffic or stains the carpet will have to withstand.

Fiber Material

• Wool, polyester, polypropylene, and nylon are a few of the different fibers likely to be encountered when looking at carpets. 
• Wool carpets are extremely durable and can keep their shape through many years of heavy furniture and foot traffic.
• Typically, polyester carpets are the weakest of the bunch, however, property owners often pick polyester carpets for many reasons including its capacity to resist stain.
• Polypropylene is a widely available fiber that is quite durable. 
• The most popular carpeting material available is nylon. Arguably, this is because they are generally the most long lasting. Typically, the fibers hold their shape, and these carpets are adequately flexible to endure various types of traffic.

Other Considerations to Make

Besides stain resistance and durability, you should consider the other factors below before choosing a carpet:

Cost

Wool is deemed a top-quality material; however, it is quite expensive. Unless the budget allows you to spend twice as much as the cost of an average carpet, you should stick to an option that is more cost-effective. The cheapest option is typically polypropylene.

Color

Each fiber handles dyes differently than another. Polyester is usually available in a broad array of bright colors. Another remarkable alternative for property owners who are seeking out a lot of options is nylon. More subtle colors can be found among polypropylene carpets.

Environmental Friendliness

Recycled water bottles are sometimes used to make polyester, so having polyester carpets may add to the overall value of a green rental unit.  However, it might not mean much to some tenants. Generally, wool is the most environmentally friendly carpet alternative but tenants who lead a vegan lifestyle may be upset by it.

There are many factors to consider when it comes to carpet in a rental property. In fact, there are just a lot of things to handle when managing rental property in general, so let us help! Here at Specialized Property Management Atlanta, know what tenants look for in a property, and we know what will get you the best bang for your buck. For more information on our services, call us at 404-596-8429 or contact us online.