When deciding on what type of flooring in a rental property to install as a landlord, you have many factors to consider. Some of these factors include cost, durability, ease of cleaning, and resiliency to wear and tear. As one might suspect, different types of flooring are best suited for different parts of rental properties (for example, most people have an understanding that carpet isn’t a top choice for a bathroom). That being said, flooring products have come a long way in recent years with advanced technology and new innovations, so you have more choices than ever! Below are some of the options for flooring with their pros and cons.

Carpet

Pros: Easy to install and one of the most affordable options for flooring in a rental property. The carpet is also soft, warm, and welcoming. Another advantage of carpet is that the padding and the fibers keep the noise down, especially in multi-unit properties.

Cons: Carpet needs to be cleaned frequently by a professional service. Also, it wears out faster than some other flooring options and may not be the best choice for high traffic areas. Because it holds onto moisture, it’s not a good idea to install in bathrooms and kitchens. It can also harbor allergens, dust and even small pests like fleas. Tears, stains, and burns are not easy to fix or repair.

Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)

Pros: This is an extremely popular tile for rental properties. It is very durable and easy to install. Some landlords prefer the glue down versions but many also prefer the click LVT that acts as a floating floor above your baseboard. This is popular in kitchens and bathrooms as it won’t allow water to penetrate it and won’t be scuffed easily.

Cons: This is a harder surface so noise will bounce more and some LVT can be more costly depending on the style you’re going for.

Vinyl

Pros: Extremely popular and quite affordable, vinyl is part of the resilient flooring group. It is highly versatile and moisture resistant, making it ideal for bathrooms, laundry areas, and kitchens. It’s moisture-resistant and easy to clean with standard floor cleaner. Vinyl is softer for the feet than other options like tile, stone, and wood and absorbs noise better than the other materials. Vinyl also comes in a wide range of colors and patterns, from faux tile to imitation stone and wood. Sheet vinyl, solid vinyl tile, and luxury vinyl tile are all options at different prices.

Cons: Vinyl can be gouged by sharp objects or ripped if any furniture is dragged across it. Nicks, rips, and cuts can’t really be repaired in sheet vinyl, while vinyl tile fares better. Vinyl is also difficult to remove and replace if the property owner wants to upgrade. Because it is inexpensive, vinyl doesn’t do much to boost a property’s resale value. It can also discolor when exposed to UV rays and when it comes in contact with rubber (like a rubber-backed bath mat).