LVP or Carpet in Rental?
17 Replies
Kyle Falkenstein
Flipper/Rehabber from Jacksonville, NC
posted over 1 year ago
Hello everyone!
I’m close to closing on my first duplex and I was looking for some advice. Would you put LVP throughout the entire duplex in order to completely “tenant proof” the place or make it feel “more like home” with LVP everywhere except bedrooms which would have carpet?
Also what does everyone else do to help tenant proof their rentals?
Erik Delaney
Real Estate Agent from Lincoln, NE
replied over 1 year ago
@Kyle Falkenstein . LVP, no question. You can put a rug on top of it for that home feel.
Marian Smith
Real Estate Investor from Williamson County, Texas
replied over 1 year ago
Kyle Falkenstein
Flipper/Rehabber from Jacksonville, NC
replied over 1 year ago
@Erik Delaney great idea!! Thank you!
Kyle Falkenstein
Flipper/Rehabber from Jacksonville, NC
replied over 1 year ago
@Marian Smith good point I guess I’ll have to invest in a stock pile of felt pads but my LVP in my current house seems to be holding up to scratching pretty well but it could just be the color that’s hiding it lol.
Marian Smith
Real Estate Investor from Williamson County, Texas
replied over 1 year ago
You’d be amazed at the difference in care you, without a thought, give your house and tenant care...even previous home owners. Many tenants have so infrequently received their deposits back they consider it a fee so have no incentive to sweep before sliding a heavy piece of furniture or stop sliding if they hear a scratching noise, etc. or they just never think about it, whatever, they just have accidents. A duplex will likely never sell retail o/o, just to an investor. Duplex tenants are younger/lower income than sfh, so likely worse than my tenants. So on a concrete slab I would tile everything. A wood tile will be acceptable, imo, for 100 years just like real wood. And it will last that long. I would use an acrylic grout like fusion or whatever high performance grout your installer likes. No seal, no stain. The color of dirt, so not brown but gray brown. No carpet anywhere...why would you? Imo. Lvt is what I am using but I want to be able to change floors if I ever sell my sfh.
Account Closed
replied over 1 year ago@Kyle Falkenstein I use the waterproof/petproof lvp throughout and try to use a color that blends/hides well. I label where the water shut off is (had an incident where water was exploding due to an accident and tenant didnt know how to shut off water lol i guess most ppl dont know this). I make sure led lightbulbs are in all fixtures and smoke detectors have active batteries. Too many tenants just take it down once battery starts beeping and just live without it.
Kris L.
from Tampa Bay Area, FL
replied over 1 year ago
I think LVP is better than carpet in the long run, but if the current carpet is nearly new and in great shape, consider keeping it through 1 renter before replacement.
Matt Pastier
Rental Property Investor from Youngstown, OH
replied over 1 year ago
@Kyle Falkenstein I vote for LVP. Flooring is one of the most expensive items. You’ll pay more money up front for it, but you’ll save in the long run.
Javier D.
Investor from FL
replied over 1 year ago
Lvp. Buy them an area rug from walmart to make them feel special if you want.
Frank Wong
Real Estate Broker from SF Bay Area (East Bay)
replied over 1 year ago
LVP all the way through. It looks better, will last longer, attract more rents. Carpet gets destroyed fast and tenants hate it. Spend more now save money and time later. Invest for the future.
Kiley N.
Lender from Honolulu, HI
replied over 1 year ago
I'm in the LVP camp as well. Durable, looks great, easier to clean. I also find that tenants prefer it as @Frank Wong mentioned because they are also aware that carpets in a rental are used by all the tenants before them. Check out the other listings in your area for rentals at the same or nicer condition than yours and see what they are using.
Nancy P.
from Naperville, Illinois
replied over 1 year ago
LVP that is at least 5 mm. Agree about the felt pads although we've lucked out so far. Have wood look tile in one place, but tenants have left the grout looking stupid by bleaching it repeatedly. We do medium browns with a hint of gray.
Mike Franco
from Los Angeles, California
replied over 1 year ago
carpets look like crap after the first year.
fibers get all worn out, and then prospective tenants get grossed out looking at it, EVEN THOUGH these same prospective tenants would destroy the carpet just the same.
stupid double standard.
Kyle Falkenstein
Flipper/Rehabber from Jacksonville, NC
replied over 1 year ago
@Suny Capezzuto thanks for your input definitely plenty to consider. I can’t believe how lazy some tenants would be just to take a safety feature down instead of changing its batteries lol.
Kyle Falkenstein
Flipper/Rehabber from Jacksonville, NC
replied over 1 year ago
@Kris L. All the carpet in the place are 15+ years old so it’s definitely time for an upgrade.
Kyle Falkenstein
Flipper/Rehabber from Jacksonville, NC
replied over 1 year ago
@Matt Pastier I was planning on LVP but just thought I’d get more opinions of others but thanks for your vote!
Kyle Falkenstein
Flipper/Rehabber from Jacksonville, NC
replied over 1 year ago
@Javier D. Love the idea