I haven't taken a bath since 2004

[Cappy Jones]

I am currently completely rehabbing my first 4 unit building with 1 bedroom apartments in Cincinnati, OH. For those who are buy and hold investors who have done complete gut rehabs, is there a need to keep the bathtubs? I haven't taken a bath since 2004 (although I shower almost daily) and I just don't know if it is worth keeping the old, cast iron tubs and having them reglazed or removing them and replacing them with a walk in shower for about the same price. They are one bedroom units so I don't know how many tenants I would have with small children and need a tub to bathe them in, however there may be the odd person who likes to soak every now and then and would need a tub. Short of that, I cant think of another reason to keep them. Any and all feedback would be helpful.

Thanks,

Cappy

[JD Martin]

I would not remove them. I agree that the tub is antiquated but you will have people complain about the lack of a tub if you do. Tubs are good for washing babies, dogs, hand laundry, and lots of other stuff, and unless you are going all out with high-end custom showers with built-in seating, glass doors and the like, I predict it will put you at a competitive disadvantage. 

FWIW, I removed the tub in my own master bath, but I have 2 other tubs in my house.