Remodeling the Bathroom on Your Rental Property

Posted by Melissa N. on 8th Jun 2023

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

When you are the landlord, your rental unit may need a bath remodel in between tenants. Your overall rental income depends on keeping costs down, so it's important to only make the changes that are necessary. When rental property management is not your full-time job, it's best to listen to the professionals when it comes to remodeling the bathroom of any properties that you own.


Keep it Simple

White Bathroom

Your future tenants will appreciate a clean looking, basic white bathroom. A quick coat or two on the walls of your rental unit bathroom will give the room a facelift. Make sure that the faucet is in good working order and that the shower produces a steady stream. Replace any chipped or broken hardware in the shower, on cabinetry and the sink.


Check for Mold Growth

Shower Head

Mold has a funny way of hiding in cracks, especially in tiny grout tile. Carefully examine the bathroom of your rental unit, looking behind the toilet and along the ceiling for signs of mold growth. Any indication of mold may mean that you have a moisture problem within the bathroom. If you find mold along tiles, make sure that the tiles aren't coming loose. Mold can eventually ruin the caulk in your bathroom, allowing water to seep in behind the tiles on the wall.


Consider Quality Changes

Ceramic Tile

While a linoleum floor may be cheaper, a ceramic tile floor is going to last much longer. You may need to replace a bathroom floor every year if you use cheap linoleum and your tenants aren't good about keeping it clean. Think about how you can invest in the bathroom, and make changes based on how long you expect to be the landlord of the property. Your tenants will appreciate quality tile flooring, and you may end up with a higher tenant retention rate.


Update Broken Toilets and Shower Heads

Commode

A new toilet doesn't cost you much money and a shower head is even cheaper. If the toilet doesn't flush properly and needs to be repaired all the time, replace it with a low flow toilet. Over time, this will save you money in water. You will pay less in maintenance fees because of breakage if your bath remodel includes a new toilet. Your tenant will appreciate a great shower provided by the new, low flow shower head that you put into the bathroom.


Do Major Repairs as Well

Cleaning Supplies

If the tile is loose on the walls of the shower, invest the time and money it takes to do the job right. While you may want to cut corners and simply replace a few tiles, you want to make sure there isn't significant water damage to your walls. Take the time to inspect the tiles and replace the wall if necessary. When you do repairs correctly the first time, you won't have to worry about bigger problems coming forth in the near future.

As you remodel the bathroom of your rental unit, keep your budget in mind. Make sure that all necessary repairs are completed. Take the time to carefully clean your rental unit bathroom first, to ensure that all mold and mildew is removed. Look for ways to save in the future, such as investing in low flow shower heads or toilets.


About the Author

Melissa N. has been working as a freelance writer since graduating from college with a BA in English in 1994. She has written many articles for an online website where she has sold articles relating to all aspects of real estate. Article topics in real estate include the basics of a reverse mortgage and real estate trends for 2013.


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