Yes or No to ceiling fans in rentals?

Yes or No to ceiling fans in rentals?

Member since 2021 · 15 posts · 21 votes

I have a rental duplex in Lakewood, Ohio. This older home has older ceiling fans in the bedrooms.

I'm planning to replace all the fans with LED light but wanted to hear peoples experiences on this.


My thoughts are, ceiling fans are another object in a rental that break a lot, they get dusty and gross, and these don't provide much light to the rooms. Tenants never change the lightbulbs on them, and not sure if they even get used. An LED lights up the room so much better and does not get dusty.

No, the house does not have central air, but this is Ohio so A/C window units are commonly used for the couple months of the year they are needed.

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Rental Property Investor · RVA · Member since 2016 · 5k+ posts · 4k+ votes
3y

I vote absolutely yes on ceiling fans. They really don't break all that often and they're not particularly expensive anyway. Window a/c units are all the more reason to keep ceiling fans, as ceiling fans can help a room feel quite a bit cooler. 

Yes, yes, yes, ceiling fans. Go to Lowe's and get some cheap Harbor Breeze units. Less than $100 apiece and they'll help keep your tenants happy. Get the kind with pull cords rather than remotes, as remotes can absolutely break and will for sure get lost. 

They're not expensive, they're pretty reliable, and they'll keep your tenants comfortable & happy. Win win win.

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  • Real Estate Consultant · Cleveland · Member since 2020 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Vincent Donato:

    I have a rental duplex in Lakewood, Ohio. This older home has older ceiling fans in the bedrooms.

    I'm planning to replace all the fans with LED light but wanted to hear peoples experiences on this.


    My thoughts are, ceiling fans are another object in a rental that break a lot, they get dusty and gross, and these don't provide much light to the rooms. Tenants never change the lightbulbs on them, and not sure if they even get used. An LED lights up the room so much better and does not get dusty.

    No, the house does not have central air, but this is Ohio so A/C window units are commonly used for the couple months of the year they are needed.

     You way overthinking this, put up a fan for 70 bux. BTW, I have 10 years of experience out there doing 1ks of move in and outs, 

    All the best 

  • Real Estate Broker · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2018 · 227 posts · 133 votes
    3y

    Congrats on the rental property in Lakewood!  That' a great area for rentals.  I would suggest keeping the ceiling fans since it does get really hot here in the summer months and since Lakewood is a nicer area, a lot of the rentals already have central air. Unless you're providing window air units, I would keep them for your tenants sake.  If they never had them they probably wouldn't miss em, but you know once you remove them they'll be complaining about how hot it is.

  • Member since 2022 · 18 posts · 5 votes
    3y

    Recommend ceiling fans. Tenants will appreciate it and fairly inexpensive. 

  • Colleen F.Pro Member
    Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    3y

    @Alan DeRossett California,   I get it but the rest of the country I don't believe has as restrictive regulations or commands higher rents due to those type of improvements. 

  • Investor · Thousand Oaks, CA · Member since 2017 · 306 posts · 123 votes
    3y
    It is not just California it applies to HUD or any low-interest loan you may want to get for a certified PEER Healthy home or Green Mortgage. Installing small things like a heat pump and insulation with new double or triple-pane windows for snow regions. Getting a home certified as Healthy clean indoor air and clean water limits your liability too and increases the standard of living for tenants if they're not getting sick from indoor air pollution or lead in the Water they have the most time to work to pay us rent. The lower interest rates on a Green loan should be motivation enough if you value cash flow. Canada has the same as the US now. check out Hud The Title I Property Improvement Loan Program https://www.hud.gov/program_of...
  • Member since 2024 · 1 post · 0 votes
    2y

    Late reply but I just came across this because the investment company who owns my house did exactly what you’re considering doing. There’s vaulted ceilings. I moved in back in March and everything was fine until the heat wave hit in June (I’m in northern Alabama). Ever since then my hvac has run from 8 am til midnight and won’t cool any less than 75-76 degrees. I’ve put in a work order because I don’t feel like I should have to spend $200-$300 on fans simply because the landlord was worried I “wouldn’t clean my ceiling fans.” Just fyi I have a special tool for cleaning my fans. I have one pedestal fan that I use to move air & it helps, but it’s loud. But hey my landlord won’t have to deal with replacing ceiling fans…might have a busted HVAC pretty soon though. Something to keep in mind. 

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