Rental window treatment
2 Replies
Sam Leon
Investor from Fort Lauderdale, Florida
posted over 3 years ago
What do you all do with window treatment at your rental?
I have typically done plain white horizontal mini-blinds, and live with having to replace them every 2 years or so.
If pets are allowed, especially dogs, then all blinds are basically need replacing at every turn over. Sometimes dogs will even pull the brackets right off the wall.
I have tried roman blinds, the one with fabric or bamboo slats. Bad idea, they are harder to clean, and when broken impossible to repair.
I have also done drapery rods and brackets only, and leave the actual curtains to the tenants. Problem is 100% of my male tenants don't care about window treatment (whatever you have works for them as long as it's functional) and 100% of my female tenants want their own curtains. Some of my units now have both mini blinds inside the window bay, and pre-installed brackets about 4" higher for additional curtains if they want that.
I am looking at IKEA's roller blinds recently and wonder if this would be a good idea for a rental. It is modern looking, can be wall mounted or ceiling mounted, no cords to deal with, and let in light even when closed. I guess not a good solution for windows facing the streets as headlights from passing cars could be distracting? But for other windows - your thoughts?
Other ideas?
Brian Pfaehler
Investor from Trafalgar, Indiana
replied over 3 years ago
I, too, use horizontal mini blinds and just replace as needed....if they are damaged, the tenant gets charged. I have a $50 per blind flat fee written into the lease.
Patrick Queisner
Rental Property Investor from Golden, CO
replied over 3 years ago
I use the same relatively cheap blinds in my units. When I do the final walk through when the tenants are moving out I inspect the blinds and allow them the opportunity to replace the blinds. If they don't I take it out of their deposit along with the cost of labor to install. All of my renters have taken the opportunity to replace the blinds themselves.