We use Guardsman Furniture Protection. They no longer use a fabric protection as it voids the cushion warranty & they were replacing a lot of cushions. There are a lot of "sunbrella" fabrics out now to be used on indoor furniture; you may want to look into using one of these fabrics for the rental.

Again, I agree with Elite Interiors. Sunbrella fabrics are the best way to go in a fabric. Your guests can spill bleach on your furniture and it will not stain. Many good furniture manufactures offer these fabrics on their furniture products. Have you ever considered leather? Leather furniture far outlasts fabric and no maintenance or odors with spills. Just a thought.

I agree with Wellington's Leather Furniture regarding leather however I would recommend a protected leather in a rental situation where people may be sitting on the furniture with suntan lotion to prevent oil staining.

Just a comment about Sunbrella. These fabrics are great as a rule. For the most part they are 100% Solution-Dyed Acrylic. These fabrics have come a long way and have certain benefits such as they are not bothered by sunlight, bleach, wet bathing suits and an added feature pet hair does not seem to stick to them. In my opinion they don't feel quite as nice as more natural fabrics such as 100% cotton or linen or blends of the two. It has also been my experience that a heavy duty 100% cotton twill fabric on a slipcover for example washes more easily.

As far as pigmented leather I think you are much better off with a full aniline dyed leather which are dyed all the way through. Pigmented leathers do resist scratches but a pigmented leather when it does scratch really looks scratched and they can be difficult to repair. Pigmented leathers are from the inner layers of the hide as hides are usually shaved into 3 layers as a rule. The inner layers are the weakest layers. The inner layers are sanded, buffed and more or less spray painted with a pigmented leather and we all know what happens with paint it eventually peels. Pigmented leathers are also cold in the winter and hot in the summer as they don't breathe. However everyone has their own opinion and this is just mine and many people will say to buy a pigmented leather in a situation such as you have described..

As far as protection plans I am all in favor of them. If you damaged your sofa and it needed to be replaced you would be very happy to have one of these plans. However in every case the protection plan companies do not cover rental properties. If you do buy one of these plans never tell the protection plan company you have rented your property or it will void your plan. Of course should you decide to buy a plan and rent your home you shouldn't really even be buying a plan as it violates the contract but that it up to you.

Freethinker99 I agree that Sunbrella fabrics do no feel as good as 100% cotton or linen which are natural fabrics but many today feel as good as other polyester/acrylic fabrics. In addition to the furniture protection plans being voided for rentals with a few exceptions such as commercial furniture manufacturers the manufacturer warranty on the furniture is voided when used for rental purposes. I would prefer full aniline dyed leather but it will stain if suntan lotion gets on it.