How to manage new flooring jobs with long-term tenants?

Question

I have a few rentals in the Denver area, and one thing I really enjoy doing is installing Life-Proof LVP flooring in units each time they turn over. This generally works and lasts a long time, but I have one unit that poses a bit of a predicament:

I acquired the property a couple years ago, but the current tenants have been there for 6 years. The existing carpeting is in horrible shape and desperately needs to be replaced - I'm ready to and WANT to install the LVP flooring, but how to do that while the existing tenants are there?

It's a crowded unit - a family of 4 in a 2 bedroom, with more furniture then I could have believed would fit in the place, so it's not easy to work around. I think the job would take a solid 3-4 days to complete, but the family doesn't really take vacations and I don't want to pay for a hotel for them to stay in during the time that job is done - even if they left, the amount of stuff to work around is troublesome.

I'm curious how other landlords have handled a situation like this in the past? Basically, if there is a significant renovation taking several days to complete, but you have existing tenants and don't want to have to turn the unit over, what do you do? Do you ask them to stay somewhere else for a few days? If so, do you pay for it? Or should I just bite the bullet and pay a company to quickly install new carpet for now? Any feedback or advice you have would be greatly appreciated!

Matthew Paul · Answer

Why bother , to either carpet or LVP flooring the tenants will basically have to move out all their furniture . Where are you going to store it , who is going to move it , who is going to pay for it ? I would just wait till they leave and do repairs , paint and do flooring for the next tenant .

Bjorn Ahlblad · Answer

I wait till the tenants are gone. Remodeling with tenants in the apartment is bad for everybody. All the best!

Jaron Walling · Answer

Wait until they finally move out unless it's a safety issue. We're in the same boat with family living in one of our rentals. We have a bigger turnover repair list but the hassle of fixing it today isn't worth it.

People have furniture, antiques, and children running around! Contractors don't want to deal with that.

Lynn McGeein · Answer

@Paul McCoy is tenant requesting new flooring? If not, plan on replacing at turnover. Cost of moving furniture, potential damage to it, can be costly. I find most of my long term tenants just use cheap runners or area rugs to cover older flooring until they leave. Works for me. Then I can advertise new flooring at turnover.

Paul McCoy · Answer

Thanks all this advice is greatly appreciated and it's a relief to know you would also wait until the unit turns over and I can wait to avoid the hassle and cost with all the logistics!

Nathan Gesner · Answer

I would wait until they leave, or terminate their lease after this year and handle the renovations. A family of four in a two-bed unit isn't too many, but the excess furnishings may be a sign of trouble. I would end their lease when able, upgrade, and find new renters.

Bob S. · Answer

You tell them you are doing this and deal with the inconvenience. OR leave it alone. TRUST me they will deal with the inconvenience.

BTW why are you doing this? Are they complaining? If not leave it alone,

Melanie Thomas · Answer

If they aren't complaining about the current flooring condition I would suggest you wait until they leave or reach a point where its being requested. Good luck & happy investing!

Tracy Minick · Answer

I believe your best choice is to wait until the tenants have moved on. I love more than anything that you see the value in providing housing and caring for your investment, however timing is everything.

Once the tenants are out GO FOR IT!

Theresa Harris · Answer

If the tenants are fine with the current flooring, just leave it. The only other option is to pay for a hotel stay and put a storage bin outside the home to put their stuff in. I really would wait for them to leave.

How to manage new flooring jobs with long-term tenants?

How to manage new flooring jobs with long-term tenants?

Most Popular Reply

10 Replies