replace Inherited appliances ?

Question

Hello all, I have a question. Would y’all buy new appliances (refrigerator in my case) for your inherited tenant if the appliance was already there when purchased the property? Or have them buy their own? Also the unit needs a full rehab which I plan on doing by next year so I don’t know about buying a new appliance before fixing the unit. What would you guys do?

Thank you

Nathan Gesner · Answer

"The previous owner left them..."

What you mean is, you bought them with the house. They are yours. You maintain them.

I recommend you repair it or replace it with a used appliance. Buy new when you renovate.

Ned J. · Answer

Unless the lease states that the current appliances will not be replaced/repaired if broken etc, then you are on the hook if they do... you own them.

Only benefit of replacing them now if they are still functioning normally, is that it spreads the cost out for the renovation you plan on doing. But be sure they fit with the overall plan of your renovation.... size, color, location etc etc

Bob S. · Answer

NO, when you buy appliances and they break its your problem, When the tenants buy them, and they break tis their problem.

John Warren · Answer

@Alejandro Ferrer I run into this a lot when I am thinking an inherited tenant will either move on or when we are planning to give a lease termination so we can repair a unit. In this case, typically I get a used appliance if the existing one goes out. This will save me roughly 50-60% of the cost, and I consider the appliance more or less disposable. Once we turn the unit, I can get ABT to get us a new one so we can be back in business.

Bob S. · Answer

You " give "   them to the tenant. Tell them its theirs,

Paul De Luca · Answer

Are the appliances owned by the tenant? If so, that is the tenant's responsibility to fix but you'll have to replace them if the tenant leaves.

If the appliances were owned by the seller and transferred with the sale (you now own them), I think it depends on the age & condition of the appliances and if the appliances are working fine or not. If you're going to do a full rehab next year you should probably just replace the appliances when you do that.

Adam Martin · Answer

The big question is why are you buying the appliance.  If it is there and functioning and they just want an upgrade they are free to do so.  If the appliances are included in the lease and they go down then you need to either fix or replace them.  If you were intending to buy new appliances with your renovation I really don't see the issue in doing it a year early to spread the costs, especially if there is a need.  I can't imagine as a tenant being told I need to replace the landlords refrigerator when it was originally included, one of the few benefits of being a renter is if an appliance or system is no longer functioning it is not your problem.

Eliott Elias · Answer

This depends on your area and the type of tenants that this area attracts. Most rentals come without appliances because tenants bring their own from previous rentals.

Andrew B. · Answer

the previous owner didn't "leave them there" you purchased them along with everything else included in the sale. If a cabinet breaks, will you claim the previous owner left it there and you are not responsible? No. Same applies to the appliances. If your lease (the old lease is yours now) says the owner is responsible for the appliances, then you are responsible for the appliances.

Ray Hage · Answer

Generally, I like to own the appliances but I also don't buy top notch $2000 refrigerators or $3000 washer/dryer sets. If everything is functioning normally, it's not worth replacing until you do the renovation. Now, if the renovation is going to a more upscale place, you will definitely have to up the rent significantly and you can bake the costs of appliances into the rent to maintain a reasonable pay back period. I completed a $14k renovation here on my investment property in Fort Lauderdale last month and had to replace the old fridge and stove. I got the stove from Best Buy and fridge from HD. The total cost was under $1000 for both and they look great.

replace Inherited appliances ?

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