Can I install Ikea flooring in a rented apartment?
While you are a tenant, the landlord is not responsible for making cosmetic fixes. This includes replacement of worn carpeting. If you intend to stay for an extended period of time, you can pay for the replacement of the flooring yourself. Floating laminate floors (such as IKEA click-lock) cannot be installed over carpeting. The carpeting must be removes and the floor cleaned before laminate of any kind can be installed. If the hardwood flooring under the carpet is in relatively good condition (free of rot and heavy staining), then it may be cost beneficial to have the floor resurfaced. Carpet padding glue is not an issue when resurfacing a hardwood floor. If you decide on laminate flooring, you should expect the flooring to be a permanent installation. It becomes increasingly unfeasible to remove laminate flooring in an attempt to salvage the laminate as time goes by, especially after a few years of installation. If you move, the landlord may want the apartment returned in the same state as when it was rented. This may include reinstalling carpet in those areas where carpet was previously installed at your expense. However, you may be able to mitigate this expense if you document (with photographs) the condition of the carpeting prior to removal. The landlord may even be willing to forgo the carpet replacement charges if the work you do is acceptable to him.
Renting in New York City: What is normal wear and tear on hardwood floors? Can my landlord charge me for redoing a whole room?
This is a great question. Scuffs, scratches and worn areas of a hardwood floor are the result of normal, reasonable and expected wear-and-tear of residential occupancy. These conditions are NOT chargeable as "damages" under a typical residential lease. Therefore, you would not be liable to pay for sanding the whole floor nor would you be liable to repair the sections you admit were "worn" by your use. The NYC Multiple Dwellings law permits deductions from security deposits only for unpaid rent or actual damages to a leased premises. "Damages" are items that require a cost to repair due to a tenant's negligence or willful or intentional misuse or abuse of the landlord's property. You might want to send the landlord a written notice stating that you expect your full security deposit to be returned unless deductions for "damages" meet the definition above.
How much can I charge a tenant for scratched up hardwood floors?
This really requires a photo and more context. Only if the scratches are beyond normal wear and tear can you withhold a portion of the security deposit. However, if the floors were abused, you may seek reimbursement for whatever a licensed flooring company charges to fix the damage caused by the tenant.
What is a good type of flooring for apartments?
Flooring can make a big difference in the appearance and durability of an apartment.Apartments can be challenging to maintain, and wear and tear should be a primary consideration when you're choosing what flooring to put in your apartment. Particularly if the apartment is in a rainy area or if your tenants have pets, high-quality, durable flooring can help you avoid replacing the floors every time a tenant moves out. There's no one "right" flooring choice. Instead, examine the specific issues in your home and choose accordingly.CarpetCarpet is relatively inexpensive and easy to replace, but it also tends to show wear and tear quickly. Carpet attracts dust and dirt and can be difficult to clean. If, however, you have expensive flooring you want to protect, carpet can be a sensible option, and can be replaced with minimal work and cost. If you want the carpet to last through several tenants, choose durable, dark-colored carpet in a tight weave rather than plush, light-colored carpet.Laminate Laminate flooring can be customized to mimic the look of tile or even hardwood flooring. It's easily cleaned and can tolerate quite a bit of abuse. Installing it is a simple process of cleaning the underlying floor, then peeling and sticking the laminate down. However, laminate is less durable than tile or hardwood flooring, and if your tenants are dirty or have pets, you may need to replace it every few years. Poorly laid laminate flooring can be pulled up relatively easily.Hardwoods Hardwood flooring is typically the most expensive flooring option, and some tenants seek out this flooring and are willing to pay extra for it. Consequently, hardwoods can raise your property value. While hardwood floor is durable, it does require reasonable care. Rambunctious pets and the process of dragging furniture can both scratch hardwood flooring, so you may need to have the hardwoods polished or even refinished when your tenants move out.Tile Tile flooring can be expensive, but works well in kitchens and bathrooms because it's moisture-resistant. It's also easily cleaned. Tile can last through several tenants, but can be a poor choice for tenants who have pets. Long pet nails and rambunctious pets can crack tiles. However, when a tile cracks, you can simply replaced the crack tile instead of replacing the whole floor.
Why so many Americans use carpets instead of hardwood floors ?
After WWII, wall-to-wall carpeting was considered a luxury-- something that signified success, etc. Previously, homes were built with wood floors and people put down area rugs for comfort, warmth, and to muffle sound. For several decades after the war, just about everyone who could afford it had wall to wall carpeting--- soft for the feet, comfortable to sit or lie on, etc. I've even seen bathrooms and kitchens carpeted-- how impractical is that? But people wanted their homes to be like soft "nests"... a cozy refuge from the 'cold cruel world'. Newer homes in the U.S. have gone back to more wood, marble, tile etc. because people like the look and the cleanliness. In older homes many people are ripping up the carpeting to refinish the underlying wood, if it exists, or put in new flooring. As people have become more aware of the effects of molds and dust on our health, many people want to avoid carpets, which trap such things. Things come and go in fashions, including in home decorating. One reason, however, that many apartments still may be carpeted is to dull the sounds for the people who live below. If the apartment was not built with good sound insulation in the floors and walls, carpeting helps to absorb noise, and makes living close to others easier. Newer buildings have much sound insulation, so, while more expensive because they are new, they will have less carpeting. I, personally, have some parts of my home with natural wood and ceramic tile, but the "family" room where everyone tends to sit/lie around on the floor as well as the furniture when we watch movies etc. is thickly carpeted. We are very casual-- and the kids like to roll around, do somersaults etc. and the carpet is soft. (and relatively clean)
Carpet or Wood in a new apartment?
I recommend that you go for the wood. The wood flooring is much easier to clean in case of any accidents. You can buy a few area rugs that you really like and wouldn't mind taking with you when you move if you have to. Maybe one in the living room area and one by the bed would be good. You can often find these rugs in many fashions and on sale. I know you don't want to invest much into rugs but it is a whole lot cheaper than the cleaning or replacement cost should you mess up the carpeted apartment. I once had a carpeted apartment and can tell you there will inevitably be a few spills and a guest will tromp through with dirty shoes. I also had a water leak and the carpet mildewed..yuck. Wood might be hard and not as warm, but you will save yourself a lot of trouble.
Does it matter that my hardwood floor has scratches and dents on it?
I don’t care, do the scratches bother you?A brand new floor with a single scratch on it might seem like a tragedy.An older floor with lots of scratches and dents (to me at least) seems homely and full of character.I think the real benefit and beauty of having a hardwood floor is the potential to have it refinished if you so choose. You don’t have to refinish it but I think its comforting to know that your floor isn't permanently ruined and can be restored to its brand new state.My advice is have some more parties, let your floor mellow, collect a few more scratches, and when you’re done partying or having kids and dogs, then maybe think about refinishing.
What can I do to stop my hardwood floors from squeaking.?
The squeaking you hear has nothing to do with what floor you live on, what the thickness is of the wood that you're walking on, or whether or not the floor is an engineered product. Tongue and groove or hard wood floors are nailed down with finish nails. The floor and the joists to which they are nailed to flex as you walk on them, move furniture around on them, and the wood expands and contracts with the temperature and humidity change. The planks become loose over time and the "squeaking" you hear is the nails sliding up and down. They are ever so slightly pulling out and being pressed back into the joists as you walk on the floor.
My hardwood floors turn my feet black they re so dirty!?
New college student with her first apartment here! My hardwood floors obviously have seen no love, and actually turn my feet black after I ve been walking around them for a while. I know nothing on how to clean them. I m up to putting some hard work into cleaning them, but remember I m a college student on a budget. :) any cleaning tips?