Garbage disposal’s for rentals?

Question

Is it advisable to have garbage disposals for your rentals? I understand many  higher end houses probably have them, but what about the bread butter homes? What are your thoughts and experience?

Luciano A. · Answer

@Joe S.

I remember being told not to have one when doing Section 8. I have put them in but using not the cheapest, base level. I go one level higher thus a much stronger motor to withstand the tenant abuse. Also if you have a bread butter house most likely you will have dishwasher so will help collect the debris coming from the dishwasher. It's like in anything, you get what you pay for. If you pay a few bucks more you can get stronger disposal that can withstand a tenant's abuse.

In addition, when we send out a welcome packet to new residents we have a flyer that tells you the Dos and Donts of using the disposal.

Best of Luck

Nathan Gesner · Answer

Yes, they can be abused, but so can plumbing without a disposal. If you have a dishwasher, then I highly recommend a disposal. Otherwise, I wouldn't add one if it's missing and I wouldn't remove one if it's already there. They cost $125 and take 15 minutes to swap out.

Greg M. · Answer

In the US, about 50% of homes have one. I suspect that the 50% that don't are older homes, apartments, and in poorer areas. In an A/B property, I can't imagine not having one. I suspect they will only become more common in C properties.

Luciano A. · Answer

@Joe S.

No sorry, I meant I had an investor who specialized in Section 8 giving me advice to not have them when leasing to section 8. Also not to have ceiling fans but I broke both rules and have not had any issues.

Cameron Tope · Answer

Hey Joe,

I agree with the folks above - garbage disposals don't add value and are just a pain. We remove them when they break.

Robert Andersen · Answer

Just something else that could break and doesn't bring increased value. Nobody is going to say "I love this place but we don't want it because it doesn't have a garbage disposal unit". People will abuse it and shove stuff down the drain that clogs up the pipes to.

Patrick O'Sullivan · Answer

Garbage disposals in rentals really seem to come down to the type of property and tenant profile. A lot of landlords like having them in nicer single-family homes or smaller multifamily properties because tenants expect them, and they can help cut down on minor drain issues. On the other hand, in higher-turnover or lower-priced rentals, they often end up becoming another maintenance item from tenants putting the wrong things down the sink. Because of that, some investors prefer to skip them entirely and keep the plumbing as simple as possible, especially in properties where minimizing repairs and service calls is the priority.

Philip Williams · Answer

I could tell you a story about a whole 6 in subway sandwich smashed down into a disposal.....

Alecia Loveless · Answer

@Joe S. I don’t have them in my units which are upscale B neighborhoods. If the tenants manage to clog their pipes anyway it is in their leases that they are financially responsible for unclogging them whether it’s my handyman or the plumber.

Garbage disposal’s for rentals?

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