Do you provide HVAC filters for your tenants?

Question

I have a rental home with 3 HVAC units. I am thinking about providing the air filters for the tenants. I figure if they have them on hand, they will be more likely to change them. This home is more of an executive rental so not sure if it is necessary. I look forward to your input.

Linda Weygant · Answer

I not only provide them, I change them out every 3 months. To me, it's an issue of doing this small task in order to save myself lots of furnace repairs later.

Derek B. · Answer

When you do a periodic inspection, check to make sure they are actually changing the filters. Otherwise, you'll find all of the new filters unused in a closet when they move out in 2 years. Ask me how I know.

Dan Schwartz · Answer

I buy them and deliver them to the house. For our first tenant, I was coming in to install them every three months. It was a good way to check on the condition of the house and do some needed maintenance. After a while he said, "don't worry about installing them,we'll take care of it." There was enough trust at that point that I was fine with it, and they did take care of it. In other units, I continued to deliver and install them.

Randy E. · Answer

Me too. I buy them, and I usually install them. No big deal for me, and it gives me a chance to briefly inspect the houses.

I look at this as more of looking out for my best interests, rather than "doing something the tenant should do."

Michael Julian · Answer

This is what I do, and the more expensive pleated ones too. I learned the hard way on this, don't do the same. Good quality filters changed regularly, (you cannot count on a renter to do this), will save you thousands on HVAC repair.

Mark Gallagher · Answer

@Joy Hardin

Sounds like it's a higher end rental. I personally wouldn't expect those types of tenants to be changing the filter. If it is close by, perhaps offer to stop by once and awhile and change the filter. Would probably get you high marks and referrals.

Patrick L. · Answer

I provide the cheap Home Depot/Lowes ones that come in a 3 pack. I'd rather pay for the cheap filters than deal with bigger issues like coil cleaning. If the filters are there then there's a lot better chance that they will change them. If they have to buy the filters expect them to run the unit on a dirty filter for 6-12 months, substantially reducing the life of your HVAC system.

JD Martin · Answer

I provide starter filters, usually a 3 pack. After that it is the tenant's responsibility.

Do you provide HVAC filters for your tenants?

Do you provide HVAC filters for your tenants?

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