The big three variables in today’s rental market are the refrigerator, the washer and the dryer.
Appliances aren’t necessary but are an attractive perk for renters
Not every home has to rent with a fridge and not every home has to rent with a washer and a dryer. These are bonuses; perks and extra pluses for tenants when they move into a home. We always explain to tenants that in this market they should not expect to get such appliances automatically included in their rental homes. Sometimes they will be there and sometimes they will not. In many cases, they are not provided and it’s up to the tenant to buy or rent the appliances they desire.
In most cases, we always tell the owner that it does help their cause in leaving appliances in the property. It makes the place more attractive to potential renters. So, if you are on the fence at all and trying to decide whether to leave your refrigerator in the rental home or not, I would say to go ahead and leave it.
Non-Warrantable Appliances
When you do leave appliances in the house for your tenant to use, make sure those appliances are non-warrantable. This means that if you do leave the fridge behind, you will not have to fix it or replace it. We express this in writing at the time a tenant signs a lease, letting the tenant know we will not repair the non-warrantable appliances left behind without the owner’s consent. That way, the tenant understands that the $200 fridge bought off Craigslist might die, and when it does the owner will not be obligated to repair it or replace it.
We always include that language in the lease so we have it in writing and no one is misled. Owners can then feel free to leave older appliances behind in the home that will benefit tenants without getting stuck with the replacement of a 10-year-old appliance just because the tenant does not have one of his own.
If you want to talk more about appliances or how they pertain to property management in the San Antonio market, please contact us at RentWerx San Antonio, and we would be happy to answer your questions and give you some guidance.
