Does ceiling fans increase the rent rate or not?

General Landlording & Rental Properties
5yFollow

Does ceiling fans increase the rent rate or not?

Joe S.Pro Member
Investor · San Antonio · Member since 2020 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes

Does ceiling fans/ light combo increase the rent rate or not?
I just purchased a house that had nice lighting in the bedrooms, but was not ceiling fans. I know ceiling fans are just something extra for tennis to break, but has anyone found it to be preferred by tenants?

1Reply
145 views

Most Popular Reply

Bruce WoodruffPro Member
Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
5y

Definitely one more thing for the tenants to break, but a fairly inexpensive item that adds a nice touch to a home. And lets them stay cool on moderate days without turning the AC on. You can get nice ones for $100-$200...

4Reply
See this reply in the discussion

59 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • Anthony Etten
    Property Manager · Kansas City, MO · Member since 2018 · 2 posts · 2 votes
    5y

    @Joe S.

    I cannot imagine that ceiling fans would increase rent. No more then $10 a month at most. I’m really new so take what I say with a grain of salt but for a new fan to cost $80-$150 per room. It would take many years to make that money back.

    Heck in my house I have a ceiling fan and a box fan going. In old apartments I lived in, no ceiling fans. Just floor fans.

    I would not stress that. I would invest that money into better door knobs or something more visual like that.

    2Reply
  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    5y

    Definitely one more thing for the tenants to break, but a fairly inexpensive item that adds a nice touch to a home. And lets them stay cool on moderate days without turning the AC on. You can get nice ones for $100-$200...

    4Reply
  • Joe S.Pro Member
    OP
    Investor · San Antonio · Member since 2020 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Bruce Woodruff:

    Definitely one more thing for the tenants to break, but a fairly inexpensive item that adds a nice touch to a home. And lets them stay cool on moderate days without turning the AC on. You can get nice ones for $100-$200...

     Do you find them to increase the desirability of a rental property?

    0Reply
  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    5y

    I would definitely think so!

    3Reply
  • Scott M.
    Real Estate Broker · Rochester Hills, MI · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    5y

    this may be a regional thing.  locally a lot of homes have them but you do not get increased rent or decreased rent if you do/don't.  Central Air would but not a ceiling fan.  

    3Reply
  • Mary Smith
    Rental Property Investor · Member since 2021 · 384 posts · 197 votes
    5y

    @Joe S. Ceiling fans are definitely a nice addition to your property. But they're not going to help you increase the rent. 

    2Reply
  • Gail K.
    Augusta, GA · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    5y

    Unless the ceiling fans are "tied" into a switch on the wall be prepared to learn the art of replacing starters in them.  They often tend to get yanked out by tenants.  Replacing the switch in the light isn't too hard; the switch in the actual fan requires a little more wiring.

    Tenants here in the south like them but they don't increase or decrease the rent here.  Fan blades never seem to get cleaned and it's a mess if there's a fan in the kitchen (the combination of grease and dirt on the blades cause an interesting challenge in cleaning between tenants).

    2Reply
  • Colleen F.Pro Member
    Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    5y

    @Joe S.  no.   The presence of ceiling fans can be a plus but if they are dated looking they can also be a minus.  Many people today think about the look over the functionality.   I don't think they impact rent but they can impact appeal.  

    2Reply
  • Dawn P.
    Rental Property Investor · Sumter, SC · Member since 2015 · 334 posts · 531 votes
    5y

    Maybe just a nominal amount. But as was mentioned by others, it does increase the appeal to renters - at least around here. I put the $50 Armitage matte black fans from Lowe's in living rooms and master bedrooms, they definitely get used a lot and I've only had to repair one pull chain/switch. 

    2Reply
  • Percy N.
    Developer · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 904 votes
    5y

    We have some units and complexes with ceiling fans and some without.

    They may not by themselves garner a higher rent in our markets but it sure can help with - (a) Lowering "AC not cooling" calls when it is an air circulation issue and (b) helps lower tenant turnover at lease renewal if the resident is happy in their home.

    2Reply
  • Joe SplitrockPro Member
    Moderator
    Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes
    5y

    Some people like having ceiling fans, but I don't know that it increases rent value. I have had tenants ask to have ceiling fans added. Generally we work out an arrangement, where they pay for the fan and I cover the install. I would never let a tenant install a ceiling fan due to anchoring requirements for safety reasons. 

    I have also removed ceiling fans from properties during vacancy, when they were ugly or not working properly. 

    You can find deals on nice looking fans for $100, so it is not a huge cost. Install cost may be $150-200 if you can't do it yourself.

    2Reply
  • Christopher Gathe
    Rental Property Investor · coeurd'Alene ID · Member since 2020 · 20 posts · 25 votes
    5y

    fans do put a nice touch I just put x2 $70 ceiling fans from home depot in my duplex they really add a nice touch, As far as increasing rents I'm not sure but it definitely lets your place be more desirable which in return sure you could raise the rent to accommodate, I also have ceiling fans in my side of the duplex, well worth it I did a lot of crawling through the attic to install the appropriate fan anchor socket, But after that all the hard work was over with.

    1Reply
  • James Wise
    Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 30k+ posts · 20k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Joe S.:

    Does ceiling fans/ light combo increase the rent rate or not?
    I just purchased a house that had nice lighting in the bedrooms, but was not ceiling fans. I know ceiling fans are just something extra for tennis to break, but has anyone found it to be preferred by tenants?

     Ceiling fans increase the amount of things in the house that can be hung on and broken.

    1Reply
  • Michael Robbins
    Property Manager · Henderson, NV · Member since 2018 · 501 posts · 317 votes
    5y

    I manage properties in Las Vegas and Henderson.  I believe ceiling fans provide for a relatively inexpensive upgrade.  They help with rent but more so with resident retention.  However, all this can be achieved by only placing the ceiling fan in the living room/tv room and the main bedroom.  The second and third bedrooms should only have the light fixture.  If the tenant moves in and wants to install a ceiling fan in the other bedrooms then offer to have it done for a fee.   You select the fan and have it installed by a professional.  When the tenant moves out the fan stays with the property. 

    3Reply
  • Al Pat
    Rental Property Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2016 · 325 posts · 253 votes
    5y

    We always add ceiling fans with light fixtures when we are renovating properties we acquire and command higer rent compared to market (you can see from the pics of other listings, if they have it or not). Tenants notice it without us saying and we always get complements as it does get hot in Atlanta market where we have properties. It is an added advantage over your competition, just like stainless steel appliances.

    1Reply
  • Taylor L.
    Rental Property Investor · RVA · Member since 2016 · 5k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    5y

    Improves desirability but I have no idea how you'd underwrite that value add. They're pretty cheap to add in, so my default position will always be pro-ceiling fan, particularly in the south.

    2Reply
  • Chad McMahan
    Residential Real Estate Broker · Sedona, AZ · Member since 2017 · 751 posts · 504 votes
    5y

    Depending on the home/layout, ceiling fans may increase the rent. For example, if the home has an evaporative cooler, ceiling fans will really help cool the home, and make the home more appealing, and keep your tenants happy. Even without evaporative cooling, most people like ceiling fans, and it will likely boost the satisfaction of your tenants- but it IS difficult to calculate.

    Also, if you got decent (They don't have to be expensive) ceiling fans, they will add attraction to your property. In my book, ceiling fans are a good idea for most homes- they don't cost much and they are appreciated.

    2Reply
  • Genny Li
    Baltimore, MD · Member since 2018 · 431 posts · 281 votes
    5y

    This is more of a "in Y market, a property that costs $X should have a fan."  Sort of like a dishwasher.  In certain markets, fans are expected in all bedrooms (at least) if that property is nicer than a certain amount.  Other markets hate fans with a passion. lol.  It really depends.

    In a San Antonio B property, I'd expect them. I would not expect them in a Washington DC B or A property!

    2Reply
  • Maksu Ize
    Investor · Vancouver · Member since 2021 · 165 posts · 137 votes
    5y

    Ceiling fans make the property look like its from 1990

    1Reply
  • Scott Esmail
    Investor · Orlando, FL · Member since 2016 · 162 posts · 125 votes
    5y

    I take all them down if I buy a home before I rent out, they may be cheap to buy but then you have to pay a handyman to go fix or replace when breaks so that is an extra cost that can add up.  If you don't supply one less thing that breaks and causes a work order. We also remove garbage disposals those break a lot too and no extra rent is gotten for that too. 

    1Reply
  • Connor Cushman
    Realtor · Cumming, GA · Member since 2018 · 158 posts · 127 votes
    5y

    If you're going to make a few modest upgrades to a property to make it more desirable, ceiling fans is probably an item that would make it near the top of the list, but you're not going to necessarily derive a direct rent increase from ceiling fans. I'd recommend looking at your property more holistically in terms of its desirability and what type of tenants you want to attract and then make decisions based on that. 

    Ramit Sethi always says asking $10k questions instead of $10 questions and I think this applies here :)

    2Reply
  • Jonathan GreeneBusiness Member
    Real Estate Consultant · Madison, NJ · Member since 2016 · 6k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    5y

    Yes. I just installed 2 ceiling fans in each room, even the kitchen. Also, 4 in the basement and 6 small ones in the attic. Nothing is more important to a rental than ceiling fans. :)

    [email protected]Podcast Guest on Show BiggerPockets Daily 667: 5 Amazing Benefits Multifamily Investments Offer (That Single Family Homes Don’t) by Gino Barbaro
    Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing59 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    2Reply
  • Ashley Herring
    Realtor · Lake Nona, FL · Member since 2021 · 36 posts · 23 votes
    5y

    I do not think that these add enough value to increase rents. New floors, updated rooms, amenities (typically in multi-family), I do think that they increase rents. In Florida, I recommend them as it is very hot here and it's best to have air flow in all rooms due to the climate being conducive to mold. 

    2Reply
  • Curtis Mears
    Property Manager · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2014 · 728 posts · 596 votes
    5y

    @Joe S.

    Can't imagine tenants paying kore for ceiling fans, but most of my properties do have them. It's a nice to have, bot not a deal breaker.

    1Reply
  • Account Closed
    Valencia, CA · Member since 2021 · 42 posts · 21 votes
    5y

    @Joe S. I wouldn’t rent a place without ceiling fans.

    3Reply
Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.
Log InJoin for Free