Modern, renovated apartments are prevalent in today’s rent-based market. After all, no tenant wants to live in a dilapidated unit with dated fixtures.
There are around 42 million renter-occupied units in the United States, which means millions of units requiring renovations and updates in order to remain habitable.
Major overhauls and renovations on apartments should be done within (roughly) every 20 years. There are more specific areas with particular timelines as well, outlined below:
| Renovation Type | Length of Time Between Renovations/Inspection |
| Plumbing | 40 years |
| Electrical | 3-5 years |
| Appliances | 15 years |
| Flooring | 7-10 years |
| Paint | 3 years |
| Exterior | 5 years |
Most renters and landlords can agree that a happy tenant makes life easier all around, and a functional, safe space is the best way to achieve this. Read on to discover how often apartments should be renovated.
Interior Renovations are Important
Having good bones in your apartment is essential to providing a safe and comfortable living environment. Unfortunately, there are standard renovations that need to be done in order to maintain a sufficient level of safety.
These renovations and investments by landlords will ideally lend to creating a mutually beneficial landlord-tenant relationship.
Renovate the Apartment Plumbing Regularly
Plumbing issues can cause immediate, lasting, and costly damage to an apartment building. To avoid this, it should be renovated on a consistent schedule.
Plumbing in an apartment can be made of any of the following types of materials:
- Copper
- Steel
- PVC
- Cast iron
Each of these materials has a different lifespan, which will dictate how often this system needs to be renovated.
- Brass, steel, and iron can last around 100 years.
- Plastic PVC pipes will need to be replaced roughly every 50 years.
- Copper will last right in-between, at about 80 years.
It’s crucial to stay ahead of these renovations and have a regular inspection, maintenance, and renovation in the works, scheduled routinely to avoid expensive leaks and plumbing problems.
An apartment’s plumbing should be, at a minimum, inspected by a professional about every two years, but more often if there are potential problems detected.
Renovating Electrical Systems Is a Must for Safety
Electrical trouble can cause damaging and deadly fires. Wiring in old buildings is known to spark and must be renovated as needed. A good rule of thumb is to have the electrical wiring and components professionally inspected every 3 to 5 years.
The average electrical wiring should last upwards of 50-70 years, depending on other environmental factors. These can include:
- Initial installation
- Environment (humid, arid, etc.)
- Original wiring component quality
- Multiple small repairs/replacement areas
Don’t Forget the Elevators!
Another electrical element important to keep updated, especially in large complexes, is the elevator.
Elevators in an apartment complex should be serviced, inspected, and have up-to-date permits yearly, but requirements generally vary by state or city.
This regular maintenance and inspection is beneficial for both parties; it provides security to the landlord in case of an accident, and safety for the tenants who regularly use the elevator.
These may not be the most fun or immediately gratifying apartment renovations, but they are nonetheless vital aspects of the apartment upkeep.
Surface-Level Renovations Keep Tenants Happy
Along with the obviously improved aesthetic of updated apartment features, it’s important to note the benefits of consistent upkeep and smaller level renovations in apartment units.
Orange shag carpet has given way to natural grain wood floors. Keeping up with these trends will please the tenants and have lasting benefits on the building itself.
Updated Appliances Are Important
Updated appliances are sleek and nice to look at, but they are also increasingly energy-efficient and safe.
Replacing appliances such as refrigerators and stoves roughly every 15 years is recommended. Some may last longer, and some even less, but the energy-efficient models can substantially reduce energy usage, saving time and money.
However, as long as they continue to work, they are not a “required” renovation. Some stovetops may last decades, while others only a few years. The time to renovate and replace appliances is when the cost to repair or run them continues to climb.
Flooring Requires Renovation
The floors of apartment units take a lot of stress. Kids, pets, and daily activities can pack dirt and debris into carpet quickly, resulting in mildew or allergens causing health issues.
Renovating the flooring in an apartment is an excellent way to keep tenants happy and healthy. Apartments contain a variety of flooring types. These can include:
- Carpet
- Vinyl
- Tile
- Wood
Renovating the flooring of the apartment is vital in preserving the aesthetic and livability of a rental unit. The flooring material itself will dictate how often it should be renovated.
The carpet should be replaced every seven years. The Department of Housing and Urban Development requires this for rental units. After 4 to 5 years, the carpet will begin to lose color and texture, and the fibers are unable to resist holding onto dirt like they did initially.
Natural wood flooring should be refinished every 7 to 10 years to protect from scrapes and water damage. This can also be done in between tenants, as it will drastically improve the wood floors’ appearance.
Vinyl and tile flooring may last decades until it’s damaged. At that point, it will begin deteriorating and harboring dust or mold.
Repainting the Walls Is Mutually Beneficial
Painting interior walls is another necessary step in apartment renovation. There are several benefits to repainting while renovating. These include:
- The primer and paint can act as insulation for the walls
- Tenants may get input on the paint color
- Dangerous, old (lead-based) paint will be covered up and made safe
- Nail holes, paint chips, regular wear and tear will be hidden
Most paint jobs happen about every three years, the average rental span for a unit. It’s common practice for apartments to be repainted when there’s tenant turnover.
Exterior Apartment Renovations Are Important, Too
Something often overlooked by landlords is the landscaping itself. The exterior of a building with more curb appeal will attract more renters, which means more money in the landlord’s pocket.
Lawn care and renovating the outdoor space can enhance the worth of the entire apartment or complex. Adding simple things like a patio, a covered pergola, or a community grill will go a long way in drawing tenants.
Some Renovations Are Required by Law
Regular maintenance and system overhauls are key to maintaining an efficient and sustainable living situation. Whether it’s for a duplex or a 40-unit complex, apartment renovations are essential.
Certain cities and’ states have a Housing Development Council regulating housing units, especially for low-income areas and units. That means not only are renovations helpful and necessary, but they can also be required by law. Things like carpet replacement requirements exist.
Some states require that a landlord provide alternate accommodation to tenants while renovations occur in an occupied unit, so it’s best to become familiar with the local statutes when thinking about apartment renovations.
These requirements will dictate more specific requirements and timelines, so be sure to look into this if planning for apartment unit renovations.
Conclusion
There are many different landlord laws and statutes that vary between states. As a landlord, it’s vital to be aware of the requirements for renting and renovating units—some things are dictated by law. As a renter, it’s also important to become familiar with these protections and rules.
A good general amount of time for when to renovate apartments seems to be in the 20-year range. This will provide both interior and surface updates to keep the apartment units running smoothly. Cosmetic renovations and updates may need to be done more frequently, depending on the renters.
Let Superior Commercial Solutions Help
If you’re ready to renovate your apartment complex, you can turn to the experts at Superior Commercial Solutions for help. We’re an industry leader for supplying and installing cabinets and quartz countertops for multi-family, student housing, assisted living, and hospitality projects. Although we’re based in Utah, we proudly work on high-volume projects throughout the U.S. Discover the Superior Commercial Solutions difference by getting in touch with us.
Sources
https://ipropertymanagement.com/research/renters-vs-homeowners-statistics
https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/healthy_homes/training/rrp/rrp
https://www.realtor.com/advice/rent/how-often-does-a-landlord-have-to-replace-carpet/
http://www.jnational.com/how-often-should-you-renovate-your-apartment-community/
https://www.mrappliance.ca/blog/2016/july/what-is-the-lifespan-of-your-refrigerator-/