--50.204.xxx.xxx

Removing tile is horrible. --50.32.xxx.xxx

Just FYI, Linoleum is NOT sheet vinyl. It is a different product. It is very durable, but it is quite expensive. --68.156.xx.xx

What does it have on it now? If what you have underneath it is old wood floors have you considered just painting the floors? --174.232.xxx.xx

When I started out, I followed another landlord's advice and installed linoleum flooring in the kitchens. Boy, that was the worst advice I had ever received! That surface had frequent holes and tears, which simply weren't repairable; you absolutely must replace the entire floor. Afterward, I tried vinyl composite floor tile. Unfortunately, that tile kept getting loose and warped in the area under the stove, due to heat from the frequent oven and broiler use being done. I then switched to Allure. It has been there for almost 10 years, and still looks as good as new! --66.87.xx.xx

Linoleum for sure. --174.126.xx.xxx

For a low end rental where rent is cheap you could go either way. If you give them something nice to start with those that want to and can will keep it nice and clean. Very small kitchen take s beating in a large home but small units... Not so much is going in in there. Cheap vinyl replaced between tenants can look new and clean and rent faster. Just pick one and record feedback and history. For me vinyl. Cheap. Fast. Clean. But then again i can cut and install it... And it's not heavy like tile to transport. --66.87.xx.xx

I looked at a neighbor's low end property a few years ago and he had stick down tiles on the entire first floor. I can't remember but it was probably 5 different styles ... none that matched. He must have just stuck a new tile here and there as needed from whatever he had on a pile. --72.95.xx.xx

My favorite these days is stick on tiles. They come in bigger tiles - 18 x 18 or 12x12, all sort of nice looks. They are pretty hefty, easy to install since you are only cutting one tile at a time to fit around things. Get the straight edge ones, not the ones you can grout because again you are dealing with grout or a nice place for dirt to get into if you don't grout. Do a running bond where each seam is offset on the next row, so their are not 4 corners meeting. Buy extras to use if one needs replacement. --108.44.xx.xx

2. Particle board or plywood. Install and just paint it or deal with polyurethane. Done. --23.121.xx.xxx

Real old-school linoleum is sold under a few different names including Marmoleum and Marmorette. Our local library installed Marmoleum a few years ago when it was built and it is still looking fantastic. --71.246.xxx.xxx

You said rough tenants. Don't do sheet vinyl because you may have to replace it after then leave and you then have to pull everything up again. Ceramic is too fragile also. They can drop a pot or an iron frying pan on that and it's gone. What I did in my four units was to strip up what's there, put down plywood if necessary and luan and then use self stick tile or thicker tile and glue it down. That way if they ruin a couple of them you can just chisel a few out and be back renting faster. Make sure you save a box or two of the tiles since styles seem to change faster now. Don't use ugly tile. Use something nice. --73.33.xxx.xxx

I pretty much feel that once the floors are done in tile--its forever, never have to redo, and they even help the sale of the property--and I've already sold 2 of those tiled babies with positive results. --108.87.xx.xxx

If the base is wood or OSB then it is recommended to install a Schluter ditra membrane first so if ceramic or porcelain is installed no cracking will occur. The downside of installing ceramic or porcelain tile is more costly upfront along with being labour intensive. Porcelain is stronger while more expensive then ceramic. The upside the porcelain will outlast other types of flooring many times over along being easy to clean and not effected by cigarettes. A quick mopping then ready to rent. Some rental housing rather buy cheap flooring then replace when move out where others want flooring that is going to last. Low income usually smoke along with not taking care of flooring. Commercial grade lasts. Watch some videos on You Tube a ditra membrane and installing tile. One will need to rent or buy a good wet saw. --74.220.xxx.xxx

--47.156.xx.xxx

If a large porcelain is cut into four pieces the porcelain tile is less likely to crack then have some spare porcelain tiles to replace. Ceramic tiles are not as strong as porcelain. Have had very good results with porcelain tiles where bought the thicker better quality tiles which stand up to a lot of abuse. Another option is to commercial grade vinyl tiles then keep some spare tiles. Porcelain can be used outside as well inside as not effected by freezing. A more durable tile but more expensive is slate. It is always difficult to balance renovations and cost. If willing to install then the labour cost is factored out. Found it not that difficult to install ceramic or porcelain tiles. Many stores carry the one up tiles where once sold out there are no longer tiles available which people buy when they flip houses. For a bathroom often was able to buy a small amount of ceramic tiles at the Habitat for Humanity restores. Lowes generally carries better quality tiles the HD. --74.220.xxx.xxx