Refrigerator with Ice Maker in door or not?

Question

Hi Folks - I am renting out a brand new built single family home. I have mentioned in my lease that I will be providing appliances as part of the rental. One of the appliance that I am planning to get is a brand new side-by-side refrigerator. My dilemma is whether to get one with ice maker/water dispenser in door or get one without the ice maker/water dispenser. I have read lots of refrigerator review where one of the primary concerns is faulty ice makers and the risks of water leakage/flooding.  I already have a renter who has signed the lease for two years though we haven't discussed the kind of appliances I would put in the house (as I had said it will be new and not what kind). He hasn't made any requests for specific appliances either. The renter seems to be a good family and didn't come across as pushy or demanding.

My thought of getting a refrigerator without ice maker/water dispenser is not driven by the cost of the refrigerator but the maintenance hassles that can happen further down the line. A quick check on zillow showed that 90% of houses for rent in my location are more than 20+ years old (so no direct comparison for newer houses on rent)- most have older refrigerators with ice maker/water dispensers in the door.

Also, I am not sure if a refrigerator without ice maker/water dispenser in the door will be a deal breaker or not after my first tenant leaves in two years and when I put the house again in the market to get new tenants.

Any thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

John Teachout · Answer

An ice maker is a pretty expected amenity. Get one with it. Make sure the tenants know you're not going to change the water filters in it. That can be their job.

Theresa Harris · Answer

I've never had a fridge with an ice maker in any of my rentals (or in my house).  As you said, you can have problems with the water line breaking and causing a flood.

Thomas Dougherty · Answer

I don’t suggest you provide a fridge with ice maker or water dispenser. You have already considered about the problem: water line breaking, flood. It is hard to deal with it in the future.

Bill B. · Answer

I always put stainless fridges with in door ice makers...

EVERY time I replace a fridge it’s because the ice maker is broken and the repair is $500+.

Every time I replace it I put another stainless fridge with ice maker in the door.

They say kitchens and bathrooms sell houses, I think kitchens rent them. Mine are matching, undented, stainless and they sell themselves.

You can always buy the five year extended warranty for $150-$200 but when you own 12 it’s cheaper to self insure.

Jon Wright · Answer

@Parag Doshi I don’t put ice makers anywhere. Another water line is another chance for a leak. The plastic tubing on most refrigerators is cheap and easy to spring a leak.

That being said if you’re renting out something on the higher end there will be a different set of expectations and you may need one.

Short answer

Depends.....😉😄

Kenneth Garrett · Answer

@Parag Doshi

I never provide a refrigerator with an ice maker or water dispenser.  Its just one more maintenance item to deal with.  I have never had a tenant or proposed tenant complain about those features not being provided in a refrigerator.  I also provide all of the appliances in my units.

Pat L. · Answer

Yes happened once on an old Samsung. Tenant pulled the fridge out to get behind it & stressed the coupling. Pushed it back in & water leaked but called us immediately. I have all shutoffs under the sink & she was able to do so. The part took 2 weeks to get & that was the only one out of about 20 we have out there. It leaked into the basement so no damage.

John Teachout · Answer

Out of curiosity, have any of the posters here actually had an ice maker line break or leak? I've seen all sorts of plumbing issues but have never encountered it. I realize it's a risk but not a large one. I did recently replace our own fridge that would dispense water whenever the ice cube tray was filling. That's not why we replaced it but it was an unusual problem. We just kept a container under it all the time. I will say that we don't provide fridges for our sfr rentals. If there already was one in the house we'll leave it with the understanding that they can use it but we won't fix it. If they have their own, we just take it out.

Refrigerator with Ice Maker in door or not?

Most Popular Reply