Flooring for Property Managers

Yes, if the unit has wood flooring. NWFA's guidance is to hold 30–50% relative humidity and 60–80°F year-round and specifically not to shut the HVAC down for prolonged periods. A vacant unit with the heat off through a dry winter, or shut up through a humid summer, is the classic way a floor that was fine at move-out has gapped or cupped by the next showing — and that repair lands on a turnover budget that is far less forgiving than the utility line.

Often, and the constraint is moisture rather than matching. NWFA calls for new and existing wood flooring to be within 2% moisture content of each other for plank 3 inches and wider, and within 4% for strip narrower than 3 inches. Get that wrong and the patch telegraphs within a season. Colour and sheen matching is a separate problem — an existing floor has aged under light, so a perfect species-and-grade match on day one will still read differently until it catches up.

It depends on which failure you are actually paying for. Luxury vinyl plank tolerates water and abuse and is replaced rather than refinished; hardwood costs more up front but can be screened and recoated repeatedly, which is often cheaper across a long hold than replacing LVP every few tenancies. The decision usually comes down to expected hold period, unit positioning, and whether you have moisture exposure that would defeat wood regardless.

Two things, in writing. Do not use steam cleaners on wood floors — the guidelines are explicit that water in vapour form penetrates the fibre and causes irreversible damage to both wood and finish, and no recoat fixes it. And do not use scrubbing machinery or power scrubbers unless the flooring and finish manufacturer recommends it. Both are standard equipment for a turnover crew, which is exactly why the instruction has to be explicit.