appliance repair tenant or owner responsible

[Gp G.]

Hi all,

As tenants reach code enforcement these days for drop of hat is it a good idea to keep appliance repairs like clogged dishwasher, refrigerator, washer, dryer tenant responsibility. Also in the current market even reducing rents not getting good quality tenants what is the best approach? What other important things we must have in the lease to verify the PM lease to make sure I am converted as eventually the buck passed on to me always. Please advise.

[Michael Smythe]

Not sure of your code enforcement issues in Atlanta, but here in our Metro Detroit market we don't have to fix appliances.

So, our standard lease states appliances are "as-is, where-is" and owner is under no obligation to repair, remove or store them. 

Section 8 is the only exception as they require working stove & fridge (only).

We make exceptions for good tenants or when we can negotiate a lease extension in exchange for addressing an appliance issue. 

Recommend you investigate the specific requirements of Atlanta code enforcement to see if any way around be 100% responsible for appliance issues.