do Own a rental property?
Are you renting?
Damage in a rental property is the stuff of nightmares!
Tenants don’t want landlords to find out, and landlords don’t want tenants that cause damage (even accidentally).
This is usually where we get a phone call.
It is always a frantic tenant, that has either had their pet damage their carpet, or they have dropped and iron, straightener or frying pan and the carpet is wrecked.
9 times out of 10, the carpet in these properties is a high-low loop pile polyester that does not repair well. Patches stick out, theres rarely enough spare carpet, and the carpet in the wardrobe (when there is any!) hasn’t faded like the rest of the carpets.
This is why we always advocate for open lines of communication between landlords and their tenants.
Damage in a rental property is the stuff of nightmares!
Tenants don’t want landlords to find out, and landlords don’t want tenants that cause damage (even accidentally).
This is usually where we get a phone call.
It is always a frantic tenant, that has either had their pet damage their carpet, or they have dropped and iron, straightener or frying pan and the carpet is wrecked.
9 times out of 10, the carpet in these properties is a high-low loop pile polyester that does not repair well. Patches stick out, theres rarely enough spare carpet, and the carpet in the wardrobe (when there is any!) hasn’t faded like the rest of the carpets.
This is why we always advocate for open lines of communication between landlords and their tenants.
We always advocate for open lines of communication between landlords and tenants - It helps protect your interests!
Carrying out repairs.
Whenever possible, we will always try to repair carpets in rental properties – It is cost effective, and helps keep tenants and landlords happy.
However, it is important for us to know that tenants have spoken to their agents or landlords and have permission to repair the carpet.
But why? Surely it shouldn’t matter as long as it is fixed?
Actually, unauthorised repairs can severely impact your landlords insurance on the rental property. While many laws have changed to allow tenants to paint walls, add photos and carry out other works, carpet is still considered a permanent fixture and is treated differently by insurers.
Some landlords may also be considering replacing the carpets anyway, either due to the age of the existing carpets or for tax reasons- You may be able to speed up this decision, and save yourself a few $100 by letting them know the carpet is damaged.
Some carpets also cannot be repaired- this is usually when there isn’t any (or enough) spare carpet at the property, and the carpet design or colour has been discontinued by the manufacturer. When this happens, we are left no option but to replace a section- and sometimes all- of the carpet. We will not do this without written approval from the owner of the property, regardless of who is paying for it. This protects the tenant as a landlord can still go after you for your bond if you have replaced the carpet without their knowledge.
Choosing rental-friendly carpets
The safest way to minimise the risk of not being able to repair the carpets in your rental property is to chose a rental-friendly carpet.
Many other carpet retailers recommend a patterned carpet, or a high-low loop pile carpet because they are VERY cost effective in the short term. This is also why most volume builders will use these carpets as their range of choice. The downside to these carpets is they damage easily. They are hard to maintain, stain easily and are very difficult to repair.
While the carpets we sell as part of our investment range can be slightly more expensive, they are easy to maintain, have stain resistance properties, are less prone to sun-fade, and can easily be repaired.
Regardless of which style of carpet you choose, we always recommend that when you are buying new carpets for your rental property, to buy an extra metre or 2 of carpet for safe keeping- this will guarantee that you have the exact same carpet, from the same dye lot ready when you need to carry out a repair.
Carrying out repairs.
Whenever possible, we will always try to repair carpets in rental properties – It is cost effective, and helps keep tenants and landlords happy.
However, it is important for us to know that tenants have spoken to their agents or landlords and have permission to repair the carpet.
But why? Surely it shouldn’t matter as long as it is fixed?
Actually, unauthorised repairs can severely impact your landlords insurance on the rental property. While many laws have changed to allow tenants to paint walls, add photos and carry out other works, carpet is still considered a permanent fixture and is treated differently by insurers.
Some landlords may also be considering replacing the carpets anyway, either due to the age of the existing carpets or for tax reasons- You may be able to speed up this decision, and save yourself a few $100 by letting them know the carpet is damaged.
Some carpets also cannot be repaired- this is usually when there isn’t any (or enough) spare carpet at the property, and the carpet design or colour has been discontinued by the manufacturer. When this happens, we are left no option but to replace a section- and sometimes all- of the carpet. We will not do this without written approval from the owner of the property, regardless of who is paying for it. This protects the tenant as a landlord can still go after you for your bond if you have replaced the carpet without their knowledge.
Chosing rental-friendly carpets
The safest way to minimise the risk of not being able to repair the carpets in your rental property is to chose a rental-friendly carpet.
Many other carpet retailers recommend a patterned carpet, or a high-low loop pile carpet because they are VERY cost effective in the short term. This is also why most volume builders will use these carpets as their range of choice. The downside to these carpets is they damage easily. They are hard to maintain, stain easily and are very difficult to repair.
While the carpets we sell as part of our investment range can be slightly more expensive, they are easy to maintain, have stain resistance properties, are less prone to sun-fade, and can easily be repaired.
Regardless of which style of carpet you choose, we always recommend that when you are buying new carpets for your rental property, to buy an extra metre or 2 of carpet for safe keeping- this will guarantee that you have the exact same carpet, from the same dye lot ready when you need to carry out a repair.
