Carpeting rental property

Kiran

My house is almost ready to be put on the rental market. Early indications are that it will get a rental of between £500-600 pcm. Before it goes on to the market it needs re carpeting and I was wondering if anyone had a ball park £/m that they go for in their rental properties. Basically is it better to go cheap and replace more often or spend more in the hopes that its doesn't get trashed within 12 months?

Thanks for your help

00ec25

as we do not know the area who is the target market for £500 - 600. Students, DSS, low income private, high income private?. Doubtless others will object to my stereotyping but in general the quality of tenants reflects they way they treat a place.

As you realise a cheap carpet will have a short life and so will impact on how much you can deduct from the deposit if a damage claim becomes necessary. If its a 3 year life cheapo and trashed after 12 months then you can claim 2/3. If it was better with a 10 year life you could claim 9/10

princeofpounds

I'd suggest middle of road carpet combined with good underlay. You can cheapen a good carpet with rubbish underlay and it can survive a good while. Pay for materials and weave, not for brand or unusual designs.

Unless a student house or a fairly luxury home.

In a colour that's more resistant to dirt. Treated for stain resistance. Not too long a pile (harder to clean). Especially all this in high-traffic areas.

Kiran

Thanks, fair point.

Should have mentioned house is in Swansea and we'd be looking at professionals.

chucknorris

Kiran wrote: »

Thanks, fair point.

Should have mentioned house is in Swansea and we'd be looking at professionals.

If your rooms are not too large try and go for better quality remnants and of course do ensure that it is well documented in the inventory that the carpet is new and state what quality.

LEJC

we have just let a property for the first time..and went to a local independant carpet shop.

Explained the type of tenants we were hoping for and from that they helped us chosse something of reasonable quality although we did opt for a good underlay.

Kiran

I'm planning to go down the independent fitter route although im inbetween the choice of having them supply the carpet or just buying a role and using them on a labour only basis

AnnieO1234

In my experience far too many landlords a) use light colours to make rooms seem larger; and b) go for cheerpy cheerpy cheap cheap carpets that aren't stain resistant - possibly hard wearing - but soak up every single stain small and large becoming impossible for anyone to clean.

If you're aiming at professionals please, for both you and your tenants sake, get a stain resistant carpet; spend a little extra now and keep it nice for years. If you're going for tenants who are likely to drop cigarettes, not give a !!!! etc then go for cheap with a view to replacing EVERY tenancy.

X

Werdnal

Speak to your local carpet suppliers, tell them what type of property and you will be buying the whole house worth of carpets from them if they can make it worth your while. When I carpetted my rental flat (It is now fully tiled as it is in a flood risk area but thats a whole other story), I went for room sized remnants of a contract quality carpet, and good quality vinyl remnants for the kitchen/bathroom areas. Its hard wearing, puts up with no end of abuse and can be cleaned easily. Go for dark colours too.

Mine lasted 8 years (and 3 different tenants) before the first flood incident meant we had to chuck it.

ognum

I would agree that a hard wearing stain resistant carpet is best.

I would also say that is is important to go with a carpet that is likely to remain in stock for several years, if you are letting to professionals that all over look may be important and if you can replace one piece of carpet without spoiling the overall effect it helps.

I have for instance replaced the living room due to an iron burn and it still matches the rest of the flat. I always leave the large carpet off cuts in a cupboard then it is up to the tenants if they want to put a piece down in front of a door to save wear and tear!