I have a nice 2-bedroom, 1 bath 1100 square feet apartment that I am looking for new tenant for. Since advertising 2 weeks ago, I have had 60,000 views on apartments.com and 100ish true leads. I have shown the apartment about 15 times so far with about 5 people returning applications. OUt of the 5 who returned applications, there are 2 or 3 that I know I would not rent to. I have 2 nurses who are interested and just had a woman contact me yesterday. In talking to her on the phone she asked if I would be open to making some upgrades if she paid additional rent. I said we could talk about it when she came for a showing today. So she came for the showing, spent an hour looking through the place and here is what she proposed: new carpeting in living room and bedroom (current carpet in living room is about 20 years old, berber, in very good condition, but has some wear areas. New kitchen flooring, paint in 3/4 rooms, 3 new ceiling fans, new can lights in kitchen . The current rent is $1050 and I told her if I do these upgrades, the rent would be $1200. I figure the upgrades would cost me around $3000 and she indicated she would stay 2-3 years. So here is my question. Do I rent to someone at a reduced rent amount and no changes or does it makes sense to rent to thiss lady and make some upgrades to the apartment and get more for rent. I will admit the flooring is dated, but the house is in a good area and I have never had an issue getting it rented. --75.86.xxx.xxx

She pays for carpet, you upgrade carper. She pays for painting, you do painting. She pays for, you do for. --174.130.xxx.xxx

I'd pass on all of this, this list can only grow, and she might bolt before you recoup your costs. If it was one thing like a ceiling fan, I'd consider it. Most here wouldn't replace carpeting w/ carpet. Q- could you rent it at $1200 to someone else if she flakes? --67.240.xx.xx

To Small Potatoes, yes, I have thought about your question if I would be able o rent it at $1200 if she bails or when she moves out. I think I would given the interest I've received, but then one never knows. --75.86.xxx.xxx

Mike and Taters I'm shocked at your 2. --108.239.xx.xx

If you don't rent it at what you want in 2 weeks, then reconsider. Don't do it the first week or two because you have a biter. --73.230.xxx.xx

What is the market rate for rentals in that neighborhood? Do some research to see how much of the market you are missing. This prospective tenant may not be the right one, but you can get a better rental rates with well maintained properties. I agree with myob that these changes aren't upgrades, but regular maintenance done between tenants. --73.205.xxx.xx

We learned the hard way that you don't agree to changes in order to snag a tenant. Pass. --96.245.xx.xx

Let the applicant go find what makes him/her happy today, this type will wander around for years. I suggest ditching carpet in favor of smooth floors - no germs, stink or stains, maybe a bedroom but an area rug always works and toss when tenant goes away, why not paint? I don't know the distress or colors, go look at a few rentals online to get ideas and without a tenant in place it should be a weekend or 2 project, pull the ad and increase the price when cleaned up and shiny.... --76.190.xxx.xxx

Thank you Wilma and FloridaNative. I appreciate your feedback. I do want to let people know that I am not trying to "snag" a tenant. I let her do the showing to see what she had to say and what she would want. I have had 4 people who returned completed applications, one was a possibiity and the other were definite "no.s" I was trying to figure out if it would make sense to have someone else "pay" for the upgrades. My rent is cudrently at $1050, and comparable rents in the area range anywhere from $1200 to $1500 or $1700. This lady is currently paying $1700 and trying to save some money. Based on her telling where she lives, I know why she is paying $1700--it is bc she is in a newer complex. --75.86.xxx.xxx

UPDATE: Just received a text this morning saying, "good Morning, Marcia." I woke up with hesitation this morning. Now, the stove is too small and there isn't much vanity space. She is going to look at 2 more places, and from what I know of the area, the rents may not be much different than the $1700 she is now paying. Needless to say, she's history for me. --75.86.xxx.xxx

If an applicant asks if they can paint, I automatically reject them. Someone who wants new paint, new carpet, new stove, new countertops really needs to buy their own house and then they can redecorate all they want. --76.178.xxx.xxx

I would allow carpet to get pretty seriously worn as long as it was still clean because I accept dogs and tenants are usually happy to not have expensive new flooring that their dogs might damage. --76.178.xxx.xxx

--184.4.xx.xxx

According to your estimates, your rent is substantially lower than other similar properties in the area. With 20 year old carpet etc, it sounds like you're not keeping the property up, which is probably why your rent is lower. I keep my properties up and do a lot of upgrades which pay themselves off quickly with higher rents. My tenants are willing to pay more and stay longer as a result of having a nice place to live. --108.201.xx.xx

--67.240.xx.xx

--64.246.xxx.xx

Small potatoes,you should go buy the place with violations,if you dont want it give me the address and i will chase it --74.77.xx.xx

I bought a second home in 2017 from the original owner. The carpet was installed in 1989. It still was in great shape. We changed it only because of the color. --24.96.xx.xxx

--108.239.xx.xx

I will share with you what I would do. New carpet, new paint and new updated light fixtures. I'd spend a little money, take the ad down while these improvements are being done. Then I'd take new pictures and try again at $1500. There is no reason to be at being at the bottom of the market. Especially this market! Present a good clean, attractive home and get paid to do it. --172.59.xxx.xxx

listen to plenty MO. Want a winner do it but do it on a regular basis so your not hit all at once with expenses. --108.239.xx.xx

--184.4.xx.xxx

For rentals any domestic flooring does not last long which winds in the landfill every three years. Seen many rental housing providers buy the laminate flooring then after 3 years replace. Porcelain flooring stands up with a lit cigarette or if they sneek in a pet. It is easy to clean where a mop with bleach removes everything. For a rental as long as things are not worn out then it may be dated where some are not fuzzy. There are two ways of looking for a payback where the life expectency must be considered. A roof should last twnety years or more where steel rools outlast shingles. Washerless ceramic disk faucets are more expensive where there is constant replacing of washers and seats. Commercial grade locks are more expensive where parts are avialable along with stand up to abuse. On and off was able to buy commercial grade locks at the Habitat for Humanity restore along with ceiling fans. For security a grade one or grade two lock is much more difficult to break into. Metal switch plate and receptacle covers are difficult to break. Reality is when a tenant buys a house then cost of replacing a roof, furnace, structural repairs, renovating a bathroom or kitchen is expensive. --68.69.xxx.xxx

Can 20 year carpet be used? Sure. Should it be used? Normally NO. If the carpet is 20 years, it is probably time to upgrade the place when you put in into phase maintenance --24.101.xxx.xxx