Wood floors are scratched and tenant wants new floor

[Elizabeth D.]

I purchased a house last February and rented it out to a tenant through the voucher program in August. The house is in decent shape but it has older, 1970s wood parquet flooring. The floors had a darker stain on them which is showing signs of wear/tear/scratches. I looked in to getting new flooring but it will be at least 2k which is not an expense I had budgeted for. I consider it purely cosmetic but my tenant keeps asking when the flooring will be replaced. I’m still new to this and think the floors can wait, thoughts?

[Ned J.]

No....No..... and HELL NO...... the floor is not an essential item to offering a livable unit. If the issue is purely cosmetic, then hell no.....not a chance.

You are supplying a livable unit for them....on the VOUCHER program....you aren't building them their dream home.

Do this and prepare for the flood gates of other things they want to upgrade to make the place nicer....

Unless there is a safety or health issue, they can pound sand or move somewhere else....at which time if you want to upgrade the floors and up the rent, then go for it....

DO NOT DO IT....