More than a quarter of Americans are renting the place they call home. Whether your tenant is solely a college student or an entire family, renters can be hard on the rental property and the furniture within. With that said, there are generally many options for renters to choose from, so anything that can be added to the agreement may tip potential renters into established stable renters.
A high-quality, durable, and comfortable mattress can be an added value that makes that ‘perfect’ renter choose your property. People spend around eight hours out of a 24 hour day sleeping. So it should come as no surprise that some individuals take their sleep and mattresses very seriously.
Related: 4 Tenant Perks That Increase the Value of Your Property
Rental Property Mattresses
Not all mattresses are created equal, and this may be even more true for rental property mattresses that need to combine durability, cost-effectiveness, and comfort for the broadest range of sleeping styles possible since you likely don’t know the precise specifications your renters want in their mattresses.
There are some basic considerations to take into account when purchasing a mattress for a rental property, such as:
- Innerspring vs. Memory Foam
- Durability
- Cost
- Airflow
- Warranty
- Mattress protectors
Innerspring vs. Memory Foam
The age-old debate of whether a mattress constructed from memory foam is better than an innerspring mattress continues to this day. The truth is that both have their unique advantages, and there is a way you can get the best of both worlds.
As many people know, memory foam has the ability to conform to the body’s shape and relieve pressure points, especially in those individuals who sleep on their side. With around eight percent of people sleeping on their back and another seven percent that sleep on their stomach, these statistics lead us to recommend a rental property mattress that favors a side sleeper (around 85% of sleepers) while remaining comfortable for the rest.
The downside to memory foam is that sometimes the mattresses can be too soft and sink over time. Additionally, memory foam mattresses are notorious for causing sleepers to become hot during the night. Any memory foam that you consider purchasing should be gel-infused and labeled as open-cell, which ensures that the foam can breathe and dissipate body heat.
An innerspring mattress is loved by those that need the resiliency (bounce) that only these mattresses can provide. Additionally, this type of mattress is very efficient at allowing air to flow through the bed, keeping the sleeper cool throughout the night. People who prefer non-inner spring mattresses say that the mattresses are too hard, can sag over time, and don’t cradle pressure points that will cause them to wake each morning in pain.
What is one to do with this dilemma of choosing innerspring or memory foam? Do what all great thinkers do and combine two ideas into an even better idea. This is where hybrid mattresses come into the picture. These mattresses typically have an innerspring base on which a few inches of gel- memory foam sits. This allows the mattresses to have the initial softness needed to alleviate pressure while supporting the body throughout the night. These mattresses are also more cooling than regular memory foam because air can circulate between the innerspring and out the sides.
Related: Furnished Rentals: What Are They and What Are Their Advantages and Disadvantages?
Firmness
Mattresses come in a variety of firmnesses ranging from ultra-soft to extremely firm. Soft mattresses are best for side sleepers because the inherent softness cushions uncomfortable pressure points in the hips and shoulders. Back sleepers tend to like firmer mattresses so that their spines remain aligned during sleep.
Choosing the best firmness for a rental mattress may seem overwhelming. You should select a mattress that most people will find comfortable, which is found in the medium-firm mattress. This type of mattress is usually rated at a six out of ten on the firmness scale (ten being the firmest).
Other Considerations
Ensuring that the rental mattress you decide to purchase is durable and comes with an extensive warranty is essential for making sure you are investing wisely. The typical long-term renter has lived in their rental property for over six years. If we take that fact seriously, we have to ensure that the warranty of the mattress is at least ten years.
Many mattresses come with a limited manufacturer’s warranty that ranges from 10 years to 20 years. Occasionally companies will provide a lifetime warranty, but these mattresses may cost you a few hundred dollars extra. Limited warranties commonly cover defects in materials such as sags in mattresses over one inch in depth. Read the warranties carefully, so you’re fully aware of what is and is not covered.
On average, mattresses should be replaced every eight years. This number is just an estimate; there are many factors that influence how long a mattress will last. Rental properties that supply mattresses will benefit from purchasing a mattress protector which will extend the life of the mattress significantly.
This article has been contributed by Dr. Kasey Nichols.