Outlets aren't grounded, does the landlord or tenant need to pay?
Broomfield, CO · Member since 2018 · 4 posts · 0 votes
Outlets aren't grounded, does the landlord or tenant need to pay?
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Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
2yQuote from @Kevin McKittrick:
We are moving to a rental property in Seattle next month and the lease is already signed. After signing we mentioned using a portable dishwasher and the PM said it wouldn't work because the outlets aren't grounded. It is an old house, so we went back through our pictures and videos during the tour and found that the outlet covers are 3 prongs, but not actually grounded. We are worried about a potential fire or getting shocked. We requested the change and they said we would need to pay for the update. After coming back with a solution of taking it off our rent if we paid for it, they said they would pay half. After some research it seems that this property isn't up to code and presents some valid safety concerns. I am wondering if any experienced landlords or property managers in Seattle have ever come across this issue before? We want to be respectful of the landlord and the property management, so any advice on how to handle this would be great. We ultimately feel like this shouldn't be our financial burden.
The key here for me "after signing, we mentioned using a portable dishwasher". If you wanted a house with a dishwasher you should have rented one before you signed. The way I see it, you rented the house in as-is condition, which contains wiring that isn't code now but was code when it was built and a property owner has no obligation, if the law doesn't require it, to upgrade homes to meet new building codes. The fact that you want to use a portable dishwasher isn't really the landlord's problem, and I think their agreement to cover half the expense of updating the wiring in order to meet your needs is generous. How is taking it off the rent a solution for them? That's the same thing as them paying for it.
On the other side of that, 3 prong outlets that aren't grounded are supposed to be labeled "not grounded" because you can't buy 2 prong outlets any more. So the outlets should all be labeled as such and I think if you wanted out of your lease because they were not, that would be a fair solution.
Skyline Properties
27 Replies
- Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes2y
The house was up to code . Just not todays code . But making you pay half I dont believe is right .
- 2yBjorn AhlbladPro MemberInvestor · Shelton, WA · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 6k+ votes
I don’t know if opinions will mean much but a ll expecting the tenant to pay for any of this is ridiculous. I have been a ll for decades and would never expect a tenant to pay for any of this.
At the end of the day you must decide what you need to do regardless of the opinion of a bunch of internet folk!
- Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes2y
Quote from @Kevin McKittrick:
We are moving to a rental property in Seattle next month and the lease is already signed. After signing we mentioned using a portable dishwasher and the PM said it wouldn't work because the outlets aren't grounded. It is an old house, so we went back through our pictures and videos during the tour and found that the outlet covers are 3 prongs, but not actually grounded. We are worried about a potential fire or getting shocked. We requested the change and they said we would need to pay for the update. After coming back with a solution of taking it off our rent if we paid for it, they said they would pay half. After some research it seems that this property isn't up to code and presents some valid safety concerns. I am wondering if any experienced landlords or property managers in Seattle have ever come across this issue before? We want to be respectful of the landlord and the property management, so any advice on how to handle this would be great. We ultimately feel like this shouldn't be our financial burden.
The key here for me "after signing, we mentioned using a portable dishwasher". If you wanted a house with a dishwasher you should have rented one before you signed. The way I see it, you rented the house in as-is condition, which contains wiring that isn't code now but was code when it was built and a property owner has no obligation, if the law doesn't require it, to upgrade homes to meet new building codes. The fact that you want to use a portable dishwasher isn't really the landlord's problem, and I think their agreement to cover half the expense of updating the wiring in order to meet your needs is generous. How is taking it off the rent a solution for them? That's the same thing as them paying for it.
On the other side of that, 3 prong outlets that aren't grounded are supposed to be labeled "not grounded" because you can't buy 2 prong outlets any more. So the outlets should all be labeled as such and I think if you wanted out of your lease because they were not, that would be a fair solution.
Skyline Properties - 2yAlecia LovelessPro MemberMember since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
@Kevin McKittrick Well in my opinion an electrical upgrade should be paid for by the owner of the property.
When we buy a property if we know it has ungrounded electrical outlets we go through and put a GFCI plug at the beginning of the circuit in each room as opposed to rewiring the whole place. This is much more cost effective and should be considered up to code unless your town has codes that are stricter than the nationally accepted building code.
That being said I don’t allow any portable dishwashers or portable washing machines because we have experienced too much damage from operator error.
- 2yTheresa HarrisPro MemberMember since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
I'm sure a lot of old houses don't meet today's code that doesn't make them unsafe per se. It is one outlet, how much will it cost? Hindsight is great, but you should have mentioned the dishwasher when you viewed the place. The landlord is also taking a risk having a portable dishwasher. If you no longer feel the place is up to your standards, then cancel the lease (pay the penalty) and find another place.
- Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes2y
1. You should have a clause in the lease (and even in your marketing) that says you are renting the house "as is" and it is tenant's responsibility to ensure it meets their needs.
2. Now that you know the outlets are ungrounded, be sure to disclose that to future renters.
3. Upgrading is an owner cost. If the tenant is willing to share that cost, that's great. Don't expect them to.
4. You can ground a single outlet. Talk to an electrician, explain what you want to do, and they can do it for you. It should cost less than $150.
You can also have the electrician inspect the rest of the electrical, ensure that it's safe, and get a bid for upgrading in the future.
The DIY Landlord Book4.7248 Reviews - 2yDrew SygitBusiness MemberProperty Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
Wow! Lot's of inaccurate responses, apparantly due to responders not properly understanding the situation!
1) Appears the property has ungrounded electrical system, not required prior to 1971.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-prong_adaptor#:~:text=In%201971%2C%20the%20US%20National,effective%20January%201%2C%201974).2) As a poster alreadsy mentioned, the property may be up to code, just not today's codes.
- When building codes are updated, it is often uneconomical for all buildings to be upgraded to meet new codes. So, existing buildings are not required to be upgraded as long as they meet the "grandfathered" building codes of when the building was constructed.
- NOTE: any major renovations to a building may void the grandfathered exception and require upgrades to meet current building codes.3) As @Nathan Gesner pointed out, a single circuit can often be upgraded by running new 3-wire romex line from electrical panel to the plugs on that specific circuit.
4) You can also install a GFCI plug (and not ground it) and that will often be acceptable.
5) Why should the property owner be required or expected to upgrade the electrical, when it meets the grandfathered building codes of when it was built?
There is one possible code violation, that we see all the time. If the electrical system is ungrounded, 2-wire, then code typically requires that all outlets be 2-prong to match - so no occupant mistakes them for being grounded. This would depend on local municipality requirements.
Logical Property Management4.9458 Reviews - Real Estate Agent · Washington, D.C. · Member since 2012 · 17k+ posts · 30k+ votes2y
All properties built in the past are not up to today's buildings codes. A property built today, won't be up to next years codes. Building codes are continually changing.
If you are insistent on living in a property under to today's code, you need to live in a new construction property.
District Invest Group545 Reviews - Member since 2024 · 23 posts · 14 votes2y
Quote from @JD Martin:
Quote from @Kevin McKittrick:
We are moving to a rental property in Seattle next month and the lease is already signed. After signing we mentioned using a portable dishwasher and the PM said it wouldn't work because the outlets aren't grounded. It is an old house, so we went back through our pictures and videos during the tour and found that the outlet covers are 3 prongs, but not actually grounded. We are worried about a potential fire or getting shocked. We requested the change and they said we would need to pay for the update. After coming back with a solution of taking it off our rent if we paid for it, they said they would pay half. After some research it seems that this property isn't up to code and presents some valid safety concerns. I am wondering if any experienced landlords or property managers in Seattle have ever come across this issue before? We want to be respectful of the landlord and the property management, so any advice on how to handle this would be great. We ultimately feel like this shouldn't be our financial burden.
The key here for me "after signing, we mentioned using a portable dishwasher". If you wanted a house with a dishwasher you should have rented one before you signed. The way I see it, you rented the house in as-is condition, which contains wiring that isn't code now but was code when it was built and a property owner has no obligation, if the law doesn't require it, to upgrade homes to meet new building codes. The fact that you want to use a portable dishwasher isn't really the landlord's problem, and I think their agreement to cover half the expense of updating the wiring in order to meet your needs is generous. How is taking it off the rent a solution for them? That's the same thing as them paying for it.
On the other side of that, 3 prong outlets that aren't grounded are supposed to be labeled "not grounded" because you can't buy 2 prong outlets any more. So the outlets should all be labeled as such and I think if you wanted out of your lease because they were not, that would be a fair solution.
You can buy 2 prong outlets at most any hardware store, home improvement store, electrical supply store. Walmart even sells 2 prong outlets.
- Member since 2024 · 23 posts · 14 votes2y
Quote from @Alecia Loveless:
@Kevin McKittrick Well in my opinion an electrical upgrade should be paid for by the owner of the property.
When we buy a property if we know it has ungrounded electrical outlets we go through and put a GFCI plug at the beginning of the circuit in each room as opposed to rewiring the whole place. This is much more cost effective and should be considered up to code unless your town has codes that are stricter than the nationally accepted building code.
That being said I don’t allow any portable dishwashers or portable washing machines because we have experienced too much damage from operator error.
Alecia is correct. Simply replace the first receptacle in the circuit with GFCI, ground to screw, and turn the breaker back on. Much cheaper/faster than rewiring.
- 2yBruce WoodruffPro MemberContractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
Yes, as has been mentioned, just put a GFCI at the beginning of every circuit run and ground the screw. This protects every outlet on that same circuit.
No way you should pay for this...it's cheap, it's easy, and the house belongs to the LL. If you get shocked, he'll wish he'd paid for it.
I would have him put in writing that he is making you pay for 1/2 of an (necessary in today's world) upgrade to his property. See what he does......
- 2yDan H.Pro MemberInvestor · Poway, CA · Member since 2015 · 7k+ posts · 8k+ votes
Quote from @Matthew Paul:
The house was up to code . Just not todays code . But making you pay half I dont believe is right .
If it had 3 prong outlets that are not connected to ground or have GFI between outlet and breakers, that was never up to code.
unfortunately there are many ex-2 prong outlets that are swapped with regular 3 prong outlet without GFI. I do not understand doing this as it is easy to do this to code.@Kevin McKittrick how was LL going to address this? I question if converting to AFCI circuit breakers would be up to code (@Bruce Woodruff). If this meets code, it would be easiest and probably cheapest even with high price of AFCI circuit breakers. Swapping one breaker takes modest time (15 to 30 minutes if no unexpected issues including time to identify the circuit), but swapping additional circuits at the same time requires very little additional time (probably less than 5 minutes each).
If AFCI breakers does not meet code, The possible solution could be as simple as installing a GFI on each circuit. this does meet current code. An hour or 2 total to map each circuit, maybe 15 minutes average to swap outlet. Typically old houses that had 2 prong plugs do not have many circuits. 12 circuits = 2 hours to map + 3 hours to swap 12 outlets to gfi so 5 hours. Or can swap all outlets to GFI and save the mapping time/effort. I personally try to Minimze the GFIs. They fail more than non GFIs and when one triggers I want to identify it as easy as possible without needing to check additional GFIs (ones that are unnecessary if the circuits were mapped).
If you only wanted the portable dish washer and were fine with existing outlets, you could swap outlet dishwasher was plugged into with a GFI in less than 30 minutes.
My point is there are fairly low effort solutions to this issue.
Good luck
- 2yBruce WoodruffPro MemberContractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
Quote from @Dan H.:
Quote from @Matthew Paul:
The house was up to code . Just not todays code . But making you pay half I dont believe is right .
If it had 3 prong outlets that are not connected to ground or have GFI between outlet and breakers, that was never up to code.
unfortunately there are many ex-2 prong outlets that are swapped with regular 3 prong outlet without GFI. I do not understand doing this as it is easy to do this to code.@Kevin McKittrick how was LL going to address this? I question if converting to AFCI circuit breakers would be up to code (@Bruce Woodruff). If this meets code, it would be easiest and probably cheapest even with high price of AFCI circuit breakers. Swapping one breaker takes modest time (15 to 30 minutes if no unexpected issues including time to identify the circuit), but swapping additional circuits at the same time requires very little additional time (probably less than 5 minutes each).
If AFCI breakers does not meet code, The possible solution could be as simple as installing a GFI on each circuit. this does meet current code. An hour or 2 total to map each circuit, maybe 15 minutes average to swap outlet. Typically old houses that had 2 prong plugs do not have many circuits. 12 circuits = 2 hours to map + 3 hours to swap 12 outlets to gfi so 5 hours. Or can swap all outlets to GFI and save the mapping time/effort. I personally try to Minimze the GFIs. They fail more than non GFIs and when one triggers I want to identify it as easy as possible without needing to check additional GFIs (ones that are unnecessary if the circuits were mapped).
If you only wanted the portable dish washer and were fine with existing outlets, you could swap outlet dishwasher was plugged into with a GFI in less than 30 minutes.
My point is there are fairly low effort solutions to this issue.
Good luck
You're correct generally. The AFCIs are only required in bedrooms currently as far as I know. Installing a GFI at the top of each circuit is ridiculously easy, as you say. They have new tracking devices that you can plug in and identify the whole circuit in a matter of seconds.
And as you probably know, but others may not, the system is only okay and code compliant if it is left alone. As soon as anything is done in the house that involves electrical, it all becomes no bueno, and any good inspector will force the owner/contractor to upgrade completely.
- 2yDan H.Pro MemberInvestor · Poway, CA · Member since 2015 · 7k+ posts · 8k+ votes
Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:
Quote from @Dan H.:
Quote from @Matthew Paul:
The house was up to code . Just not todays code . But making you pay half I dont believe is right .
If it had 3 prong outlets that are not connected to ground or have GFI between outlet and breakers, that was never up to code.
unfortunately there are many ex-2 prong outlets that are swapped with regular 3 prong outlet without GFI. I do not understand doing this as it is easy to do this to code.@Kevin McKittrick how was LL going to address this? I question if converting to AFCI circuit breakers would be up to code (@Bruce Woodruff). If this meets code, it would be easiest and probably cheapest even with high price of AFCI circuit breakers. Swapping one breaker takes modest time (15 to 30 minutes if no unexpected issues including time to identify the circuit), but swapping additional circuits at the same time requires very little additional time (probably less than 5 minutes each).
If AFCI breakers does not meet code, The possible solution could be as simple as installing a GFI on each circuit. this does meet current code. An hour or 2 total to map each circuit, maybe 15 minutes average to swap outlet. Typically old houses that had 2 prong plugs do not have many circuits. 12 circuits = 2 hours to map + 3 hours to swap 12 outlets to gfi so 5 hours. Or can swap all outlets to GFI and save the mapping time/effort. I personally try to Minimze the GFIs. They fail more than non GFIs and when one triggers I want to identify it as easy as possible without needing to check additional GFIs (ones that are unnecessary if the circuits were mapped).
If you only wanted the portable dish washer and were fine with existing outlets, you could swap outlet dishwasher was plugged into with a GFI in less than 30 minutes.
My point is there are fairly low effort solutions to this issue.
Good luck
You're correct generally. The AFCIs are only required in bedrooms currently as far as I know. Installing a GFI at the top of each circuit is ridiculously easy, as you say. They have new tracking devices that you can plug in and identify the whole circuit in a matter of seconds.
And as you probably know, but others may not, the system is only okay and code compliant if it is left alone. As soon as anything is done in the house that involves electrical, it all becomes no bueno, and any good inspector will force the owner/contractor to upgrade completely.
I have a device that has 2 parts, one that plugs in at the outlet and the other part is used at the circuit panel to identify the circuit so circuit associated with outlet should be easy with only a single person.
It has not worked significantly more than it has worked. Piece of junk. If you have 2 phones, FaceTime with outlet test device plugged into outlet with one FaceTime displaying the outlet test device works far better than the $hitty device that is supposed to Make this easy.
- Flipper/Rehabber · CA · Member since 2023 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes2y
Repairing & maintaining the building is the owners responsibility not a tenant. Electrical work should be done by a licensed pro.
The GFCI receptacle fix is accepted by some AHJ's here in CA, and sometimes not. Really depends on the AHJ and field inspector. FWIW a GFCI device (either breaker or receptacle) works by sensing the delta between neutral and ground, hence without the ground they really don't work well.
An AFCI device senses the delta between power and in neutral in an attempt to detect an arc that's bridging air space.
Most AHJ'S here now require pretty much every circuit to use a AFCI/GFCI combo breaker.
Those retail circuit seekers (tracers) from the retailers aren't very good, a good budget one is north of$500, good one's are $1500-$3k
- Rental Property Investor · Malvern, PA · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 936 votes2y
Assuming the portable dishwasher is going in the kitchen....
There has to be GFCI nearby since any outlet within 6 feet of a water source in the kitchen must be GFCI or is not compliant with current regulations. An electrician could ground a single outlet for you as described above or run a new line from an existing GFCI to wherever you want the dishwasher. Neither should be all that expensive.
- Austin, TX · Member since 2019 · 5k+ posts · 5k+ votes2y
The way I look at it, the owner is aware the three prong outlets are not grounded.
Potential renter looks at the outlet sees a three prong outlet in the old house it assumes it is grounded- because the third hole is for a ground.
Potential renter assumes he can use standard modern equipment with a ground- that requires a ground or it wouldn't be there.
If I were the potential renter I would ask to be let out of the lease and move to a residence that has ground available- and ask about the ground before signing the lease just to make sure it is grounded.
I don't think they make two prong plugs anymore for the wall so replacing the old worn out ones with three prong ones seems like being a between a rock and a hard place- what's the owner to do if upgrading the electric is not affordable.
Maybe some electricians can weigh in on this dilemma of using three prong outlets when there is no ground on the 3rd prong.
Good Luck!
- Lyons, NY · Member since 2024 · 6 posts · 4 votes2y
If it's knob and tube wiring, the job isn't just replacing plugs - it's a full replacement of everything electrical which may well mean a gut.
Just because you have the ground plug hole doesn't mean it's grounded. Old Knob and Tube didn't even have a ground wire. A crafty guy can wire a plug to pass a grounding test, but that doesn't ground anything. Connect the green to white.
I've had hundreds of signatures and never been able to collect from anyone. If the grounding bothers you I'd just tell the landlord, no thank you. If the Landlord says they will do the work make sure they don't just swap plugs and put on fake grounds - Flipper/Rehabber · CA · Member since 2023 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes2y
Quote from @Scott Mac:
The way I look at it, the owner is aware the three prong outlets are not grounded.
Potential renter looks at the outlet sees a three prong outlet in the old house it assumes it is grounded- because the third hole is for a ground.
Potential renter assumes he can use standard modern equipment with a ground- that requires a ground or it wouldn't be there.
If I were the potential renter I would ask to be let out of the lease and move to a residence that has ground available- and ask about the ground before signing the lease just to make sure it is grounded.
I don't think they make two prong plugs anymore for the wall so replacing the old worn out ones with three prong ones seems like being a between a rock and a hard place- what's the owner to do if upgrading the electric is not affordable.
Maybe some electricians can weigh in on this dilemma of using three prong outlets when there is no ground on the 3rd prong.
Good Luck!
Its possible to find ungrounded receptacles, usually off the internet, but distributors don't carry them typically. You're 100 % correct, at least here in CA we cant install grounded receptacles on a 2 wire system...its a code violation. As others have mentioned installing a jumper from neutral to ground is also illegal. The ground is bonded to neutral at the main only, the overall premise being ground is a backup should a neutral fail. A person getting shocked by the power wire is bad, getting shocked by a neutral under load is very bad.
- Member since 2024 · 13 posts · 6 votes2yBased on what you see so far, the dwelling is an oversized, overloaded toaster oven. Sleep soundly, but first turn off all lights and appliances nightly.
Quote from @Kevin McKittrick:
We are moving to a rental property in Seattle next month and the lease is already signed. After signing we mentioned using a portable dishwasher and the PM said it wouldn't work because the outlets aren't grounded. It is an old house, so we went back through our pictures and videos during the tour and found that the outlet covers are 3 prongs, but not actually grounded. We are worried about a potential fire or getting shocked. We requested the change and they said we would need to pay for the update. After coming back with a solution of taking it off our rent if we paid for it, they said they would pay half. After some research it seems that this property isn't up to code and presents some valid safety concerns. I am wondering if any experienced landlords or property managers in Seattle have ever come across this issue before? We want to be respectful of the landlord and the property management, so any advice on how to handle this would be great. We ultimately feel like this shouldn't be our financial burden.
- Member since 2024 · 23 posts · 14 votes2y
Quote from @Alan F.:
Quote from @Scott Mac:
The way I look at it, the owner is aware the three prong outlets are not grounded.
Potential renter looks at the outlet sees a three prong outlet in the old house it assumes it is grounded- because the third hole is for a ground.
Potential renter assumes he can use standard modern equipment with a ground- that requires a ground or it wouldn't be there.
If I were the potential renter I would ask to be let out of the lease and move to a residence that has ground available- and ask about the ground before signing the lease just to make sure it is grounded.
I don't think they make two prong plugs anymore for the wall so replacing the old worn out ones with three prong ones seems like being a between a rock and a hard place- what's the owner to do if upgrading the electric is not affordable.
Maybe some electricians can weigh in on this dilemma of using three prong outlets when there is no ground on the 3rd prong.
Good Luck!
Its possible to find ungrounded receptacles, usually off the internet, but distributors don't carry them typically. You're 100 % correct, at least here in CA we cant install grounded receptacles on a 2 wire system...its a code violation. As others have mentioned installing a jumper from neutral to ground is also illegal. The ground is bonded to neutral at the main only, the overall premise being ground is a backup should a neutral fail. A person getting shocked by the power wire is bad, getting shocked by a neutral under load is very bad.
One can walk into ANY Home Depot or Lowes and find an assortment of 2 prong outlets. Even in California.
- Flipper/Rehabber · CA · Member since 2023 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes2y
Quote from @Joshua VanName:
Quote from @Alan F.:
Quote from @Scott Mac:
The way I look at it, the owner is aware the three prong outlets are not grounded.
Potential renter looks at the outlet sees a three prong outlet in the old house it assumes it is grounded- because the third hole is for a ground.
Potential renter assumes he can use standard modern equipment with a ground- that requires a ground or it wouldn't be there.
If I were the potential renter I would ask to be let out of the lease and move to a residence that has ground available- and ask about the ground before signing the lease just to make sure it is grounded.
I don't think they make two prong plugs anymore for the wall so replacing the old worn out ones with three prong ones seems like being a between a rock and a hard place- what's the owner to do if upgrading the electric is not affordable.
Maybe some electricians can weigh in on this dilemma of using three prong outlets when there is no ground on the 3rd prong.
Good Luck!
Its possible to find ungrounded receptacles, usually off the internet, but distributors don't carry them typically. You're 100 % correct, at least here in CA we cant install grounded receptacles on a 2 wire system...its a code violation. As others have mentioned installing a jumper from neutral to ground is also illegal. The ground is bonded to neutral at the main only, the overall premise being ground is a backup should a neutral fail. A person getting shocked by the power wire is bad, getting shocked by a neutral under load is very bad.
One can walk into ANY Home Depot or Lowes and find an assortment of 2 prong outlets. Even in California.
Thanks! Didn't know that, I don't go to those retailers.
- 2yBruce WoodruffPro MemberContractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votesOh yeah, the good ole 'Suicide Neutral'.....a great way to start your day, right Alan?
Quote from @Alan F.:
- 2yNed J.Pro MemberInvestor · Manteca, CA · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
A LL is responsible for any repairs or upgrades that are NEEDED..... the debate becomes is this work is NEEDED.... Is it a requirement for the unit based on safety or habitability???
Well technically NO.... the unit meets code for the codes at the time it was built/remodeled etc. There is nothing illegal for its current condition....no issue with safety or habitability.....so the LL doesn't really HAVE to fix anything with the electrical at this time. Just because you want to add some device that is not compatible with the current electrical system, doesn't mean they have to accommodate that request. The unit was rented "as is"
BUT the 3 prong outlets are essentially false advertising..... it made it appear that the system was grounded and could accommodate most modern devices/appliances....but it can't. So that's your leverage to get them to at least provide one circuit that can accommodate the appliance.
BUT..... the LL can always come back with not allowing a portable dishwasher since there a serious concerns about potential damage if its not used correctly or has issues that lead to major damage. So the LL wont allow the dishwasher, so the circuit concerns are nullified.
I can see an argument for both sides......so IMO its reasonable to meet in the middle on cost if both parties agree.
- 2yBruce WoodruffPro MemberContractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votesNed has a good answer here. It's kind of on both parties to make this work. So splitting the cost down the middle to provide one properly working and safe outlet would be the way to go. Shouldn't even cost that much....
Quote from @Ned J.:
A LL is responsible for any repairs or upgrades that are NEEDED..... the debate becomes is this work is NEEDED.... Is it a requirement for the unit based on safety or habitability???
Well technically NO.... the unit meets code for the codes at the time it was built/remodeled etc. There is nothing illegal for its current condition....no issue with safety or habitability.....so the LL doesn't really HAVE to fix anything with the electrical at this time. Just because you want to add some device that is not compatible with the current electrical system, doesn't mean they have to accommodate that request. The unit was rented "as is"
BUT the 3 prong outlets are essentially false advertising..... it made it appear that the system was grounded and could accommodate most modern devices/appliances....but it can't. So that's your leverage to get them to at least provide one circuit that can accommodate the appliance.
BUT..... the LL can always come back with not allowing a portable dishwasher since there a serious concerns about potential damage if its not used correctly or has issues that lead to major damage. So the LL wont allow the dishwasher, so the circuit concerns are nullified.
I can see an argument for both sides......so IMO its reasonable to meet in the middle on cost if both parties agree.
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