As a proud owner of a rental home, you’re going to be responsible for most of the wear and tear that occurs. When determining how much you’ll need to spend and when you’ll need to spend it, it helps to know the average lifespan of particular items in your home.
Flooring
The first and most obvious item that takes the brunt of punishment would be the carpets and flooring.
Carpets, depending on type and of course amount of traffic, last about 5-6 years. Professional cleaning is recommended at least twice a year as you would be surprised how much life can be given to old, worn carpets with a simple shampoo. When the time comes to replace, be sure to purchase at least 6 pound density padding. The higher pound density, the more support you will have helping it to last longer.
Vinyl flooring is also a popular option among rental properties. This provides a cost effective, durable option needing replacement about every 7 years. Similarly to carpet padding, it is recommended to achieve maximum durability, that the thickest option is purchased. Vinyl is also waterproof! You won’t have to worry about tenants spilling liquids or pet accidents in your home ever again!
Bedding, Sofas, Upholstered Furnishings
Providing your guests with a comfortable home is definitely a priority. To do so, ensuring that the sofas, mattresses, and other furnishings remain in good condition is important. For all upholstered furnishings, we highly recommend a Scotchguard treatment that is re-applied throughout the year. This will help to prevent stains and hopefully prolong the life of these items, which usually last 3-6 years. Bedding is an important aspect to making sure your guests truly enjoy their time spent in your home. Nothing can thwart a relaxing vacation like lack of sleep due to a squeaky, overused bed; be sure to check mattress and mattress pad quality at the end of every season. Regarding bedspreads, comforters, and pillows, these should be replaced approximately every 1 to 2 years, depending on wear. Remember, our guests are looking for a bit of luxury when vacationing, so any amenity that revolves around comfort, should be a priority.
Built by Beach Realty and Contruction
Kitchen Appliances and Equipment
Let’s move to the kitchen, probably one of the most utilized rooms in your home. You would be surprised how many guests call and inquire about what is provided and what they need to bring. Providing a well equipped kitchen is certainly a must and the quality is probably one of the most reviewed amenities. We all know how the dish ran away with the spoon, it is not out of the ordinary for small pieces to go missing. Make sure there is adequate amounts of flatware, glassware and dishes for each guest the home sleeps. Cookware should last, with moderate use, about 3 years. We all know that rental homes take a bit more than moderate abuse, I mean use, so again, this is an amenity that should be checked at the end of every season. Your large appliances, dishwasher, stove, refrigerator, washer and dryer, etc. should last between 6 and 8 years with yearly maintenance. With that being said, we’ve all had that one appliance that refuses to go and hangs on year after year. These life expectancies are an average based upon quality and daily use and will certainly vary.
Exterior
Moving outside!
Mother nature can be a harsh mistress to the exterior of your home. Living on an island and enjoying that salty sea air is a blessing, but also a curse at times. Exterior paint lasts about 5 to 7 years depending on quality and location of the property in proximity to the salty spray of the sea. Highly recommended are paints that have mildew resistant coatings and lifetime limited warranties, which may cost more upfront, however will end up saving you in the long run.
Pool or Deck Furniture
Another exterior amenity to consider is your deck or pool furniture. These items not only see wear from use, but also from the elements. Longevity is based upon quality and type. Plastic chairs are generally not expected to make it through the season, making either wood or polywood our suggested medium for all outdoor furniture. Again, this is a bit of an investment, but will surely pay off in the long term. Lasting upwards of 10 years, polywood is becoming the prominent choice amongst homeowners for their rental properties. Classically built, this furniture is easily cleaned and strong against the elements. If you’re not ready to spring for the poly, wood is a comparable alternative, lasting up to 6 years.
Please reach out with any questions, a member of our service team will be happy to assist in any recommendations you many need!
Interested in enrolling your home in our property management services? Give us a TEXT for a complimentary rental projection, 800-635-1559.