Morrisville, PA · Member since 2017 · 8 posts · 2 votes
My wife and I just purchased our first duplex we are house hacking and in the re-model planning stage for the kitchen. The unit currently has an electric stove that is not worth keeping. We are getting gas ran into the property for HE Gas heater instead of oil heat.
The question is should we stick with electric stove or run the plumbing and make it a gas stove? Money is NOT the factor here, but rather which is more tenant friendly; gas or electric?
I have had people tell me they do not like gas ranges because of open flames or fear of fire. My wife and I feel electric is more dangerous because the surface could be hot long after you turn it off and you are more likely to burn food because you cannot control the temperature as well.
We see valid points on both sides of the argument so would like to know what you all have in your rentals and for what reasons?
Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y
who pays for utilities,, if electric is separate,, let the tenant pay the cost of the stove..
More units have electric stoves than gas in just about every apartment complex. because gas lines cost more to install and tenant usually always pays electric.
Titusville, FL · Member since 2016 · 55 posts · 40 votes
9y
personal policy: no flames under tenant control in my units. gas water heater dryer and central heat ok. gas range or oven not if I have a choice. if you are concerned about traditional electric try an induction range. they are worth every penny.
Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y
who pays for utilities,, if electric is separate,, let the tenant pay the cost of the stove..
More units have electric stoves than gas in just about every apartment complex. because gas lines cost more to install and tenant usually always pays electric.
Investor · Des Moines, IA · Member since 2014 · 238 posts · 230 votes
9y
We utilize electric exclusively in our rental properties. Maintenance wise, less issues and easier to repair (component swap). Safety, no open flames or risk of gas leaks. Swap out on units is easier also, just a plug no fittings to fiddle with (ie: anyone with a dolly can handle). We took it one step further and swapped all of our multifamily to electric air handlers as well. There is NO risk of gas leaks and... city inspectors aren't grumpy when a tenant piles cloths in front of the "furnace" (because there is no open flame). Most importantly... electric is a tenant expense whereas gas is generally a landlord expense (especially on conversion units).
Rental Property Investor · Red Bank, NJ · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y
I only have gas- I have had people look at the apartments coming from electrical buildings and comment on how much they want gas for cooking. I believe in my area it is an advantage. I feel the new gas ranges with electric start are very safe.
But I do all the cooking in my house and I despise electric., so I am biased. The only way I would consider it is a convection cook top, which is too expensive to justify in a rental.
Rental Property Investor · Jersey City, NJ · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 876 votes
9y
I think this is somewhat regional, like @Patrick M. I'm in NJ, and it's rare to find electric ranges in older neighborhoods. Even in buildings with landlord supplied heat they all have their own gas meters. I once lived in a studio in a large apt building in NYC with electric included, but paid for my cooking gas. It was bizarre. Also, most of these older buildings have nowhere near the service capacity for electric appliances like ranges or dryers. I have a 1br unit on my reno queue that is still on one 20A breaker!
Rental Property Investor · Scotch Plains, NJ · Member since 2016 · 98 posts · 54 votes
9y
i'd go with natural gas if money is not a factor. people prefer it and if you're already have the plumber there i'd do it. I find that tenants appreciate it more. i'd be less worried about the open flame. i feel like electric is used in older homes that previously had oil heat and no natural gas run within the home.
Real Estate Agent · Denver, CO · Member since 2014 · 151 posts · 101 votes
9y
What does your market and price point demand? If you're aiming for more luxury rentals, than maybe a gas stove would be worth it. Maybe it would be worth a look on hotpads or craigslist to see what similar rentals in your area have?
Morrisville, PA · Member since 2017 · 8 posts · 2 votes
9y
Thank you everyone for your input. I agree with Patrick M. that as the one who cooks, I hate electric.
As a landlord, Mitch C. brought up a good point about the ease of maintenance on electric.
I think we will go with gas since we will have to live there for at least a year or so, and the tenant we are attracting is a long term, large family or group as this is a 4bed/1.5bath where I imagine they would cook more. Also both units have their own meter for electric/ gas which the tenant will pay both.
Real Estate Agent · Southington, CT · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
9y
@Mike Conklin Been renting units for clients and for my own investments here in CT for a while and I have never had someone rent or not rent an apartment based on the type of cooking heating source.
The quality of appliance may matter to a tenant, new vs beat up, stainless vs plain white, etc.
I would say just go with whatever source you prefer and don't get caught up in what the prospective tenant will think. They will just care that it is new.
Rental Property Investor · North Weymouth, MA · Member since 2015 · 146 posts · 44 votes
9y
@Michael Noto good points. Do tenants prefer gas heat over electric? I know I would, but some tenants may not be educated enough?
@Mike Conklin What made you decide to convert to gas heat? I am in similar situation with house hacking but I have electric heat. Already renovated the bathroom and kitchen. My dilemma is to convert before winter OR save up and do it next fall.
Real Estate Agent · Southington, CT · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
9y
@Chris Roche Home heating is a completely different issue. I was speaking of just the cooking heating source.
In our experiences filling units in Connecticut (probably similar in MA) tenants for the most part know that electric heat is more expensive than natural gas. However, for 1 bedroom units & studio/efficiency units we do not experience any push back from prospective tenants regarding electric heat. As you get into bigger 2/3 bedroom units, natural gas is more preferred.
Investor · PA · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 602 votes
9y
if it also has gas then I leave it otherwise I go electric. I prefer electric because I don't like to mess around with gas lines or deal with potential gas leaks in the future.
Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes
9y
@Mike Conklin I have had one cook top fire and one hot water heater fire. Gas is not safer and costs more to maintain.
I like a gas range in my own home, but tenants don't care. I install electric flat top ranges, which are easy to keep clean. They look great and tenants are very happy.
I think you are looking at this through your personal perspective, rather than from a business perspective.
Morrisville, PA · Member since 2017 · 8 posts · 2 votes
9y
@Chris Roche We are converting to gas heat because the house currently has an oil heater that needs to be replaced. I figured if we are spending the money on a new heater, we should ditch the oil at this point. It was included when running the numbers for this property.
@Joe Splitrock I am certainly leaning towards gas for personal reasons (I have to live there for at least a year!), but could be swayed. Where could I get more information on the costs of electrics vs gas ranges? That is what I was trying to find, but could not get hard information on.
@Chris Roche We are converting to gas heat because the house currently has an oil heater that needs to be replaced. I figured if we are spending the money on a new heater, we should ditch the oil at this point. It was included when running the numbers for this property.
@Joe Splitrock I am certainly leaning towards gas for personal reasons (I have to live there for at least a year!), but could be swayed. Where could I get more information on the costs of electrics vs gas ranges? That is what I was trying to find, but could not get hard information on.
I don't think operating cost is the main factor here. Gas will be less expensive, but since it is not run near continuous like a water heater, the savings are less. Maybe you will save $30 a year with gas. Lets say it is $150 to install gas appliance, then it will take you five years to break even. Tenants won't notice a the difference, so you are funding the effort.
If you want gas for yourself, go for it. For tenants, I would advocate electric due to safety. I am not going to work too hard to sway you, because I have nothing to gain here. Actually, I have stock in a natural gas pipeline company gas would be better for me.