Is tenant responsible for replacing appliances?

Question

I'm still relatively new to being a landlord, so I'm looking for what is customary language in tenant leases.

I've recently purchased a property with a tenant and am developing a new lease for that tenant.  I have most of it worked out and she has reviewed it, but questioned the section that stated the tenant was responsible for the costs of repair and replacement of all appliances.

Is this typical to have the tenant pay for replacement of appliances that naturally burn out?  Does anyone have any language they actually use for this in their leases?

Peter MacKercher · Answer

This isn't too different from the question of who's responsible for repairs at the property itself. You're providing the apartment, the tenant does not own it, therefore you're responsible for repairing issues at the property. The same standard applies for appliances you provide, unless there's some unusual exception as mentioned above, which should be plainly spelled out in the lease or some other written agreement.

Randy E. · Answer

I've had properties that did not come furnished with fridge or stove.  The tenant was responsible for providing those appliances and responsible for whether they worked or not.

Today, I include a fridge and stove with all my properties and I hold myself responsible for repair and/or replacement costs.  My opinion is if I provide it, I am responsible for keeping it in good working order.

As a landlord, you can put many things in your lease.  For instance, my houses have washer and dryer hookups, but I don't usually provide a washer and dryer.  Once, a tenant moved out and left behind a washer and dryer and a deep freezer.  I left those items in place while I showed the house to new applicants and offered to leave in place there if they wished to keep it, but told all applicants that I am not responsible for any repairs.  The new tenants chose to keep those appliances in place and I added an addendum in their lease that stated they were responsible for any costs associated with maintaining those appliances -- I continued to be responsible for the stove and refrigerator.

Aaron K. · Answer

Who owns the appliances generally determines who pays unless the tenant was extremely negligent in using your appliances.

Jon Holdman · Answer

If you lease a property with appliances in place you should assume you're responsible for them.  Yeah, you can put in your lease that the tenant is responsible.  But realistically if you provided the appliance and it breaks, you need to fix it or replace it.  If you don't want this responsibility, don't provide the appliances.  Or, like @Randy E. specifically state you'll leave the appliance but take no responsibility for it and you will remove it if there is a problem.

Chris Lombardi · Answer

I own the appliances, so you're saying that I should be responsible for all repairs and replacements?  Do you have any language that you typically use in a lease?

Just for clarification, by appliances I'm talking about fridge and stove rather than microwave and toaster.

Is tenant responsible for replacing appliances?

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