One big question all Houston property owners face is which appliances should be provided to tenants. Due to the fact that every situation is different from one another, this decision can pose some challenges. While supplying certain appliances might be the right move for some property owners, that is not necessarily applicable to every rental property. Still, comments from tenants show that there is great demand for appliances in many markets, and these household items are even expected in some places. It may be essential for you to give out appliances just to keep your rental competitive and justify your rental rate now and in the future. But which appliance? Here’s what the professionals recommend.
Appliances (Not) Included?
While every rental market is not similar, tenants are more compelled to rent a home that comes with at least a few appliances in some parts. There are only a select few tenants who are okay with the cost and inconvenience of buying and then moving in with these large and heavy appliances. A rental home that already provides them will be much more attractive. In a lot of rentals, especially among single-family rental properties, tenants do not like using laundromats to do their laundry. Both are expensive and time-consuming. They are something a lot of tenants would pay a higher rent to avoid.
Of course, from a property owner’s point of view, there are cons to the cost of the appliances and repairs and the likelihood of tenants damaging the machines through improper use. However, you are able to have both your costs and the probability of appliance damage to a minimum by being choosing which appliances you supply.
What Tenants Want
Based on what tenants have to say, the pricey items they want to find in a rental property include the refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, and microwave. Some single-family rental property owners opt to supply just the last three and leave it to the tenant if they want to buy their own fridge. It’s not hard to see why: refrigerators are one of the most expensive appliances, and they often need to be replaced. Providing some but not all appliances may work in some instances, but it may turn potential applicants away from your property due to certain aspects.
This is also true for the washer and dryer. Due to constantly being used, these two appliances commonly need more maintenance and repairs than all the others mixed together. For this reason, professionals suggest doing some research on your local market before you decide whether to include a washer and dryer in your rental home or not. If all of the rentals in your place have them, you should have them too. Otherwise, you may experience more difficulty in renting your property and you may also need to lower your rental rate.
You may want to consider where to place appliances that renters do not want to use during their tenancy. Some may have their own appliances; in these cases, having a backup location to place appliances for the next renter should be considered.
Legal Obligations
One final question that both property owners and tenants often ask is whether the law directs landlords to provide appliances. In general, if you advertise your rental as “unfurnished,” the answer is no. Few, if any, local municipalities require landlords to place appliances.
So the question is not a legal one. But it will aid you in maximizing your monthly cash flows. Again, being aware of your local market and what the other landlords offer in your area is vital. But you should always think of working within the limits of your budget. If having appliances for your rental property would cause extreme financial difficulty, you should wait until you are in a better position to do so. For all of these reasons, determining which appliances to have in your rental is a choice that only you can make.
Would you like to know more about how to accurately assess your local rental market to set rental rates and make key decisions about your property? Real Property Management West can help! Contact us online or call our office to speak with a Houston property manager today.
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