One big question all Chamblee property owners face is which appliances tenants should have in the rental home. Due to the fact that situations vary, this decision can be quite challenging. While providing certain appliances might be the right move for some property owners, that is not always the case for every rental property. Still, some insights from tenants show that there is high demand for appliances in many markets, and these household items are even expected in some areas. It may be essential 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 every rental market is different, tenants are more compelled to rent a home that comes with at least a few appliances in certain parts. 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. Many rentals, especially among single-family rental properties, tenants do not like having to go to 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 setbacks to the cost of the appliances and repairs and the probability of tenants damaging the machines through inappropriate use. However, you can keep both your costs and the likelihood of appliance damage to a minimum by being selective about which appliances you provide.
What Tenants Want
Based on what tenants have to say, the pricey items they look for in a rental property include the refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, and microwave. A few single-family rental property owners opt to supply just the last three, leaving it up to the tenant to buy 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 constantly being used, these two appliances typically need more maintenance and repairs than all the others added 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 may need to also have them. Otherwise, you may have a harder time renting your property and may even need to adjust 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 should be done.
Legal Obligations
One final question that both property owners and tenants often ask is whether the law mandates landlords to give appliances. Most of the time if you advertise your rental as “unfurnished,” the answer is no. Few, if any, local municipalities require landlords to have appliances.
So the question is not a legal one. But it will help you to maximize your monthly cash flows. Again, being aware of your local market and what the other landlords give out in your area is key. But you should always bear in mind to work within the limits of your budget. If having appliances for your rental property would cause extreme financial difficulty, you should wait until you are in a better position to do so. For 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 Greenway can help! Contact us online or call our office to speak with a Chamblee property manager today.
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