Rent with appliances?

Question

For those with properties (preferably duplexes in Cleveland) do you usually rent places with appliances (fridge, stove, etc.) already included or do you ask tenants to bring their own (mostly section 8). I've heard a few different takes on this and wanted to hear what others are doing.

Drew Sygit · Answer

@Evan Thomas Andriola

Depends on the proeprty/tenant Class.

Class A: we usually recommend newer/nice appliances

Class B: we recommend used appliances because tenants don't take the best care of them.

Class C/D: we do NOT recommend appliances because tenants don't clean, leading to so much caked on food/grease it's realistically not cleanable. Or they somehow break or even disappear when tenant moves out. Good luck chasing them down to try to collect as it's just not worth it:(

Travis Biziorek · Answer

I actually just wrote about this in my newsletter last week!

For my C/C+ class rentals in Detroit, I almost never include appliances. It’s just not expected by the tenant base, and I’ve found that supplying them creates more headaches than benefits.

Here’s why:

•	More maintenance & costs – Tenants in lower-income areas tend to be rougher on appliances. If you provide them, you’re on the hook for repairs or replacements.

•	Not a rental value booster – Unlike in higher-end rentals, including appliances doesn’t significantly increase rent in C-class areas.

•	Tenants often have their own – I’ve had tenants specifically ask me to remove appliances because they already had their own set.

•	Longevity argument? Not my style – Some landlords believe requiring tenants to bring appliances keeps them in place longer, but I’m not a fan of that mindset.

Early on, I tried supplying used appliances to strike a balance, but every single one broke within two years. When I did provide them, I ended up switching to new ones, but if I were buying today, I’d skip them altogether.

Hope that helps!

Jeff Pasmore · Answer

Very common in the Cleveland area for the tenants to supply their own appliances.

Joshua Janus · Answer

it's common for tenants to supply their own appliances in Cleveland. That's how I do all of mine in the affordable housing areas.

Evan Thomas Andriola · Answer

@Jeff Pasmore Thanks Jeff. Even in section 8/lower income areas?

Rent with appliances?

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