The apartment construction boom that has spread across Greater Manchester in recent years has shown no sign of abating, with Stockport now seeing the rapid growth of town centre living through a mixture of new buildings and old mill conversions.
As new apartments are fitted out, landlords pay a lot of attention to the question of what sort of flooring to install. In doing so, it is worth noting that there are factors to consider now that might not have been an issue in the past.
A New Law On Renting And Pets
Among these is a provision in the new Renters’ Rights Bill concerning pets. While the legislation has not yet come into force, it is likely to do so later this year or in 2026. That means this is something landlords need to prepare for now.
What the new law does is to allow tenants to request to keep a pet in their rented home. Landlords cannot simply refuse, as is the case under the current law, but must have reasonable grounds to do so, such as the property being genuinely unsuitable on the grounds of size.
Estate agent Reeds Rains gives the example of a large dog in a small flat being a legitimate cause for refusal.
However, in most cases, the request will be reasonable, and as a landlord, you may consider how to ensure the property is suitable for a pet, not least the right flooring.
Cats are not such a problem because their claws are retractable (although ones with a bad habit of clawing at everything may be). Dogs, however, have longer claws and it is worth considering laminate flooring as a good choice of a suitable surface.
Why Laminate Is A Great Option
Home Floor Expert lists laminate as one of six flooring materials that are particularly suited to dogs. It is highly scratch-resistant, which is good news if the claws are not kept regularly clipped, but it is also more affordable than some of the alternatives, so you won’t be breaking the bank to install it.
At the same time, this is an attractive and popular option in general, with many stylish designs available to make apartments look attractive to prospective tenants.
It is also easier to keep clean than a carpet, whether that is the occasional accident or the inevitable seasonal moulting.
The only downside of laminate is that it is not the ideal choice for rooms with a lot of water, so it’s not the best option for kitchens or bathrooms.
However, the list of dog-friendly floors also includes vinyl plank, and vinyl is a commonplace choice for kitchens, offering great resistance to both water and scratches.
Further Options
Other flooring types on the list are also well-suited to dogs. These include polished concrete, epoxy resin, engineered hardwood and tile.
What this means is you have a lot of choices over the kind of flooring you might install, which, as a landlord, may be particularly handy if you have a particular décor style in mind.
Nonetheless, laminate is a familiar, popular, affordable and attractive choice. That should prove popular with any tenants, whether they have two legs or four.
