So exactly who is responsible for appliances in a rental property? Is it the landlord? Or the tenant? The time to ask is not when you have a broken appliance on your hands.
In most rentals, it is common for landlords to supply a stove and refrigerator. In this case, the landlord is then responsible for appliance maintenance.
A microwave, dishwasher, clothes dryer and washer are not always included in a rental. It often depends on the location and property if these are supplied. Tenants might expect these appliances if other local properties supply them. Landlords may also be able to charge a higher rent for amenities like a nice washer and dryer.
Reasons to include appliances in a rental property
As a landlord there are a few reasons why it’s a good idea to include appliances in your rental property. The first reason is that the majority of your potential tenants do not have appliances. This can then limit your pool of interested tenants. Many people will not want to take on the extra expense of purchasing their own appliances.
A second reason for including appliances in your rental is that it can cut down on the wear and tear of the property. If you have ever moved a refrigerator or other large appliance then you know what I am talking about. You have to take doors off their hinges. Flooring, doorways, and walls can get scratched. It has a way of creating unnecessary damage.
Reasons not to include appliances in a rental property
As stated above, if appliances are supplied upon move-in then it’s expected that they will be the landlord’s responsibility for repairs if needed.
The only exception we’ve found is to put an appliance clause in the lease agreement. The clause states that the landlord has supplied the appliances for use but they are not part of the rent. So if they need repaired, it would be at the tenants expense.
A second reason for not including appliances is there are a few tenants that may already have appliances. In our experience this does not happen very often. If they request to use their own appliances then you may have to relocate yours and find a place to store them.
List of Common Appliances in a Rental Property
Rental properties often include the appliances listed below. If you need help reviewing the best appliances to buy for your property make sure to check out the Consumer Report Buying Guide.
- Stove (or Range)
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Dishwasher
- Clothes Washer
- Clothes Dryer
It is important to budget a little extra every month to save for the replacement of appliances as they wear over time. This is something to consider when figuring how much you should charge in rent each month. If you need help in this area make sure to check out our Rental Property Expenses Guide to make sure you are considering all your costs.
To help you budget for appliances we have created an Appliance Life Expectancy Inventory Spreadsheet. The inventory spreadsheet is the perfect place to track major appliances, when they were last updated, and most importantly when you can expect to replace them again.
The inventory includes over 20 common appliances (refrigerator, water heater, air conditioner etc.) their average life expectancy, purchase date, cost, and replacement date.
You can grab a copy of the Appliance Life Expectancy Inventory Spreadsheet by subscribing below. Not only will you receive the printable appliance spreadsheet but you’ll have unlimited access to our entire Investment Property Resource Library. Subscribe for a limited time for just $2.99 per month to this growing digital collection of printable templates and tools for buying and managing investment properties.
It’s the perfect low-cost toolkit for anyone looking for a little more guidance to kick-start their passive income potential. No obligation – opt-out of the Investment Property Library at any time.
Subscribe below for your copy of our Appliance Life Expectancy Inventory Spreadsheet and access to our full Investment Property Resource Library
Some of the additional printable resources in the Investment Property Resource Library include:
- Sample Inspection and Inventory Record
- Sample Rental Applications
- Rental Business Financial Spreadsheet – Excel Spreadsheet
- Rental Property Cash Flow Worksheet
- Newsletter Updates
New resources are added frequently so check back often!
Inspection and Inventory Record
Once you have accessed the Investment Property Resource Library (through subscribing above) you can also download our Inspection and Inventory Record to use with new tenants.
This is a great tool that can help prevent damage to your rental property. Learn more about the Inspection and Inventory Record and why it is important, view our article on How to Prevent Damage to Your Rental Property.
We hope you found this info helpful in determining who is responsible for appliances in a rental property. As always best of luck on your real estate endeavors!
