A frequent question all Anacortes property owners have in mind is which appliances should be provided to tenants. Because every situation is different from the others, this decision can be a bit challenging. While providing certain appliances might be the right move for some property owners, it is not always the case for every rental property. Still, some comments from tenants show that there is strong demand for appliances in many markets, and these household items are even expected in some areas. There may be a necessity for you to give out appliances just to keep your rental competitive and justify your rental rate now and in the future. But which appliance? Here’s what the experts recommend.
Appliances (Not) Included?
While each rental market is different, tenants are more persuaded to rent a home that comes with at least a few appliances for certain rooms of the home. There are only a few tenants who are okay with the cost and bother of buying and then moving in with these large and heavy appliances. A rental home that has them will be much more attractive. In a lot of rentals, specifically among single-family rental properties, tenants do not like using laundromats to do their laundry. Both are expensive and time-consuming. They are aspects that many tenants would pay a higher rent to avoid.
Of course, from a property owner’s point of view, there are disadvantages to the cost of the appliances and repairs and the chance of tenants damaging the machines through inappropriate use. However, you may be able to keep both your costs and the possibility of appliance damage to a minimum by choosing which appliances you provide.
What Tenants Want
Based on what tenants have to say, the pricey items they search for in a rental property include the refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, and microwave. Some single-family rental property owners opt to supply just the last three, leaving it up to the tenant to purchase their own fridge. It’s not difficult to see why: refrigerators are one of the most expensive appliances, and they often need to be replaced. Providing some but not all appliances may work in some instances, but it may turn potential applicants away from your property due to other aspects.
This is also true for the washer and dryer. Due to massive use, these two appliances usually need more maintenance and repairs than all the others mixed together. Due to this, professionals suggest doing some research on your local market before selecting whether to include a washer and dryer in your rental home or not. If all of the rentals in your place have them, you should have them as well. Otherwise, you are going to have more difficulty in renting your property and may even need to lower your rental rate.
You may want to consider where to put appliances that renters do not want to use during their tenancy. Some may have their own appliances; in these instances, having a backup location to place appliances for the next renter is necessary to take into consideration.
Legal Obligations
One final question that both property owners and tenants often ask is whether the law mandates landlords to provide appliances. Most of the time if you advertise your rental as “unfurnished,” the answer is no. Few, if any, local municipalities require landlords to give appliances.
So the question is not a legal one. But it will help you maximize your monthly cash flows. Again, being aware of your local market and what the other landlords provide in your area is significant. But you should always remember to work within the limits of your budget. If purchasing appliances for your rental property would create extreme difficulty, you should wait until you are in a better position to do so. Because of all of these reasons, selecting which appliances to provide in your rental is a choice that only you can make.
Would you like to know more about how to accurately assess your local rental market to set rental rates and make key decisions about your property? Real Property Management Teyata can help! Contact us online or call our office to speak with an Anacortes property manager today.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
