Gas Stove Okay for Rental?

Question

I have lower middle class rentals in Texas (rents around $900 for 3 Bedrooms). I am wondering if anyone has found that it is smart to convert gas stoves in old homes to electric. It seems that electric is easier to use and potentially less dangerous (no open flames or leaks). I realize that electic has its potential hazards we well, but it seems less. Anyone have advice here?

I am about to rehab another unit that will need a new stove. If I am going to covert, now would be the time.

Bill Gulley · Answer

I prefer gas as well for myself, but I never rented to myself. Never had a tenant turn down housing by having electric. We do have cheaper electric bills here than other areas. All "owned properties" in our housing authority are electric, several considerations but there are some tenants that fall short on judgment.

Gas goes boom! It's not just the appliance it's also the gas lines. Electricians are cheaper than pipefitters around here too.

A tenant did some work on a gas water heater, he left to go get parts. The house blew up and totaled the neighboring houses and damaged 5 nearby. Everyone was gone, no injuries, very lucky!

If you ever have an idiot tenant that tries to fix an electric stove they might get zapped but they won't blow anyone else up. So for that reason, tenants get electric stoves. :)

Pat L. · Answer

Heads up...

We just had an interesting issue with a (Whirlpool) gas stove. College girls have rented the home for several years & the Gas stove is only 4 years old.

Apparently one of the kids received a silicon oven liner (as a gift) that you put on the lower rack(s) to catch drips etc.

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Miu-Heavy-weight-Commercial-Non-stick-Oven-Liner/7900414/product.html

Unfortunately she put it on the very bottom of the oven & we had a CO emergency. (The liner is supposed to be no lower than the bottom rack).

According to the Fire response team it interfered with ventilation, causing an inefficient (flame) burn & the house filled with CO (>45pmm) & all the alarms went off. They also cited incidents of large Al liners on the bottom that have caused similar problems.

Marcia Maynard · Answer

Something to note, you need to have the proper range hood to match the appliance.  Typically a range hood for a gas range will need to draw more CFM than that for an electric range, so get a good range hood.   We have never had a problem with carbon monoxide in our units, from the ranges, furnaces, or hot water heaters.  We always buy quality appliances and have them professionally installed.  In addition, our natural gas utility company is quick to share resources and check out the gas appliances if there is ever a suspected problem.

Scott R. · Answer

I disagree with most above and would switch to all electric in a heartbeat if I could.., most my houses would require extensive electrical update to support a conversion to electric stoves. Gas stoves have more potential problems then electric. Just this winter we have had 2 carbon monoxide problems, fire departments involved, both due to the gas stove. These can be very serious problems. We have since added and updated vent hoods, but if the tenant doesn't use them, we could eventually have similar problems. These are lower income rentals, but the tenants could care less as to which stove is in the unit.

I generally attempt to put in used appliances when possible, generally search craigslist for these appliances, gas stoves are ALOT harder to purchase and more expensive.

Kyle J. · Answer

I have found that most people prefer gas stoves over electric.  I have actually had applicants rule out a property because it had an electric stove.  I see no reason to convert from gas to electric.

Bill S. · Answer

If there are other gas appliances (heat) then I would stay with gas. The cost of adding an electric outlet (220 V) would not be worth it. If the range is the only gas appliance (electric heat), get rid of it. Will be cheaper for tenants not to have to pay the service charge for low use from a gas range.

Never have a range with at standing pilot. Only use the electronic ignition ones.

Electric heating elements can go bad making it more maintenance intensive than gas but usually it's not for several years so it's not really a consideration for me.

Marcia Maynard · Answer

Some of our units are gas, some are electric.  Never a problem with either.  It seems people are less likely to leave a gas range unattended while cooking, so it may be safer.  Most gas ranges have their dials in the front, in reach of small children, so some parents of young kids prefer electric.  However, gas prices are good, gas cooking is good, and many good tenants prefer gas ranges.  So I vote for gas.  If you have it, keep it.  Last year we bought a house that has a gas furnace and electric range.  We paid a professional to have gas lines added to change the range to gas.  Glad we did.  Happy tenant, happy landlord.

Blake C. · Answer

Thanks for the replies. One of my units had been converted from gas to electric before I purchased it. I just stuck with it since the stove was in good condition. I didn't totally see the reason behind it, but before I rehabbed this current unit, I wanted to think it through.

Brian Bassett · Answer

My experience tenants prefer gas 10 to 1.  You can list gas in your marketing, tenants have mentioned numerous times their preference for gas.

Ed O. · Answer

I almost always go to electric when the stove dies or when it's rehab time. Gas leaks, fuel runs leak. They have created major headaches for me over the years for me. I also remove the unused fuel runs as well.

I have mostly electric units at the time. The few that I have, have failed frequently and consistently. I'm talking about newer units, not old ones that came with the house.

Another upside of electric is the ease of install. The box stores typically with leave a new unit up and running for free. On gas, they charge roughly $60 for the hookup, since it's a gas line and they're slightly worried.

The downside of electric is when their gas gets turned off for non payment, many tenants convert their stove to a furnace until they destroy it. Temp at 450 with the door open all day long.