Tenant of 2 years wants new flooring. Who is responsible?

[Ericka G.]

Tenant of 2 years sent me pictures of kitchen flooring that is coming up around the edges (linoleum). It was in solid condition, not peeling, when they moved in but it is old. They are requesting that I replace the kitchen flooring and claim that it is attracting flies. I’ve never had a tenant request flooring be replaced during their lease, have always made those changes btwn residents.

They pay every month but always late and with a late fee. I don’t mind the lateness too much because they always pay within a week and it is an extra $100/mos

What would you do in this situation? It isn’t an expensive repair but I’ve never encountered a request for a new floor (been a landlord since 2007) or made one while I was a tenant so this feels like it is out of scope for such a short tenure.

[Joseph Cacciapaglia]

When I have longer term tenants, I pretty regularly upgrade items that have suffered from general wear and tear. When possible, I try to link it to a renewal of their lease. If you would do that work for a new tenant, why wouldn't you do it to keep an existing tenant?