At a Glance:
Who is Responsible for Appliances in a Rental Property?
Purchasing the Right Rental Property Appliances
Are you a landlord of a rental property or considering becoming one? If so, you may be wondering what the best appliances for a rental property are. Most rental properties include a microwave, refrigerator, and oven, at a minimum. Modern rental properties will also include a dishwasher and usually a washer and dryer (if not a washer and dryer connection point for tenants to hook up their own). With that said — and with so many brands to choose from — what are the best appliances for a rental property? We can help you answer that!
First, we will discuss who is responsible for appliances in a rental property. Next, we will provide some buying considerations for landlords to read over before making any appliance purchases. Then, we will finally share some of the best appliances for rental properties. To give you an idea of a modern rental setup tenants will love, we’ve included a refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, and washer/dryer laundry pair to inspire your rental setup.
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In-Stock NowWho is Responsible for Appliances in a Rental Property?
When it comes to appliances for a rental property and where the responsibility falls, you may be wondering if that’s solely on you as the renter or on the tenant. While tenants are responsible for taking care of rental property appliances and making sure they are clean before ending their lease, landlords are held responsible for the appliances themselves. This means that landlords are to choose and provide the necessary appliances in each rental property. This decision can be a big one for some landlords as there are so many brands and models of appliances on the market.
Purchasing the Right Rental Property Appliances
So, what appliances should a landlord purchase for a rental property? There is no concrete answer but there are some things to consider before making any purchases.
Consider the Space
How big is your rental property space? The size of the space will determine what size of appliances you need to purchase. Large rental properties should be able to comfortably hold standard-sized appliances that are commonly purchased for homes. On the other hand, you may need to purchase appliances for small spaces if your rental property is a studio or small apartment. Regardless of what size your rental property is, always make sure to measure the space ahead of time. As the saying goes, ‘measure twice, buy once.’
Reliability and Durability
With tenants frequently in and out of rental properties, you need to purchase appliances that can handle a lot of wear and tear without frequent breakdowns. Nothing is going to cost a landlord more (other than big rental property renovations) than paying for appliance repairs over and over. Broken appliances can also upset tenants and may cause them to want to leave a bad review on a public page which could deter future tenants from signing a lease. Other than buying the right appliance size, buying a reliable and durable appliance is the second-most-important piece of advice for landlords.
Energy-Efficient
It’s not a bad idea to look for rental property appliances that save on energy. Even though your tenant may be the one to fork over the bill for electric, water, etc., they will be a lot happier knowing they are using an energy-efficient appliance to help them save money. There is also the chance that you, as the landlord, are covering certain, if not all, utilities yourself. Either way, energy-efficient appliances save money and are eco-friendly.
Consider the Overall Value
When shopping for appliances for a rental property, landlords may be inclined to purchase inexpensive appliances to save some money, but that can be a horrible mistake in the long run. Landlords should seriously take into consideration the overall value of each appliance. For example, a well-made and reputable refrigerator may cost more upfront, but because of its quality build, it should last for quite a while compared to a cheap refrigerator. Sure, less money is coming out of the landlord’s pocket, but a cheap refrigerator will be prone to frequent breakdowns and end up costing the landlord more money over time.
Refrigeration
Hands down the most frequently used appliance in a rental property, the refrigerator needs to be functional, spacious, and durable for years of use. Below is our best refrigerator pick for a rental property. The 22.2 cubic feet refrigerator from Café™ is not only high-quality but provides innovative features to rental property tenants.
Café™ 22.2 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator
Starting us off, the Cafe 22.2 Cu. ft. French Door Refrigerator is an impressive refrigerator model for a rental property. Tenants will simply love it! Not only does this model include a water dispenser but it includes a hot water dispenser! Tenants can even preheat the water ahead of time through Cafe’s smartphone app since this refrigerator has built-in Wi-Fi capabilities. In addition, the Precise Fill function dispenses just the right amount of water needed so tenants receive no more, no less. Within the fridge, you’ll notice beautiful Showcase LED lighting illuminating all shelves. In addition, TwinChill™ evaporators inside create separate climates in the fresh food compartment and freezer compartment so that foods are refrigerated well.
✅ Our favorite Café CYE22TP2MS1 refrigerator review: “Highly recommend this product! Classy, solidly put together, easy to use in all aspects.”
Related: Café Refrigerator Reviews [Buying Guide]
Cooking Appliances
Ovens, ranges, and cooktops should be easy to use and include bottom storage for pots, pans, and bakeware. Tenants need all the storage space they can get! Below is a great induction range option from GE Profile™.
GE Profile™ 30" Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Slide In Induction Range
The GE Profile 30” Induction Range includes a speedy preheat feature (for tenants in a hurry), sous vide-enabled cooktop, and durable oven racks that can be left inside during a self-clean cycle. Tenants can control two cooktop elements at one time with just one button if they need a larger or wider cooking surface. With this GE Profile oven being an induction range, water can be boiled in just 101 seconds on the 11” induction element. A neat feature of this GE Profile model is that it can guide tenants in their cooking. This innovative feature, from Hestan Cue, is a great assistance to new cooks. There are video-guided recipes, auto temperature, auto time, and cooking pace adjustments throughout the cooking process.
- Model: PHS930YPFS
- Dimensions: 29.88” W x 37.25” H x 27.33” D
- Total Capacity: 5.3 Cu. ft.
✅ Our favorite GE Profile PHS930YPFS range review: “I love cooking on this induction range! It's amazing!!”
Dishwashers
Other than the refrigerator, the dishwasher is probably the second most-used appliance in a rental property (assuming the tenant frequently eats at home). A rental property dishwasher should function well, be reliable, and offer plenty of space for a variety of dishware and drinkware. Below is one of the best dishwashers for a rental property from Miele.
Miele 24" Panel Ready Built-In Dishwasher
A powerful and reliable dishwasher is a must-need for each rental property. With this Miele 24” Built-In Dishwasher, tenants will be grateful for the EcoPower Technology, which consumes less water and energy than a traditional dishwasher. The inner parts include a 3D MultiFlex Tray for holding various sizes of dishware as it can be adjusted as necessary. FlexLine baskets, which are also inside this Miele dishwasher, include a silicone buffer for holding delicate glasses securely. Other features include QuickIntenseWash (wash and dry in just 58 min.), Knock2open (knock to open the door), and AutoOpen drying (door automatically opens to airdry).
- Model: G 7966 SCVi
- Dimensions: 23.56” W x 36.25” H x 22.44” D
Related: Miele Dishwashers: Foreign Appeal with Universal Function
Washers and Dryers
When it comes to washer and dryer units in rental properties, you want to purchase appliances that are very reliable and well-made. You don’t want a risk of leaking! Not only is the GE laundry pair (below) from a reputable brand, it offers tenants innovative technology and large-sized drums for getting more laundry done in each cycle.
GE® White Smart Front Load Laundry Pair
This GE Front Load Laundry Pair provides innovative features for tenants in rental properties. An UltraFresh vent system with OdorBlock™ gets rid of extra moisture so that odors are prevented, and the washer stays clean and fresh. This GE laundry pair also features Microban® antimicrobial technology that continuously disrupts the growth of microorganisms. Like the refrigerator we mentioned earlier, this laundry pair can be controlled via Wi-Fi through the SmartHQ™ app. Other features include the Quick Dry option (when you’re in a hurry) and Sanitize Cycle option (to get rid of all those germs). On top of all that, this laundry pair is a good option for landlords who are looking for stackable washer and dryer set to save on space in their rental property.
- Model: GELAUGFW550SSNWW
- Dimensions: 28” W x 39.75” H x 32” D
- Total Capacity: 4.8 Cu. ft. (Washer) 7.8 Cu. ft (Dryer)
At Friedmans Appliance, we can relate to creating a place where people love to call home with appliances they can rely on. Best of all, Friedmans offers builders quality appliances for better prices, including kitchen appliance packages and appliance promotions for all your rental needs. Stop by our Bay Area appliance store in Pleasant Hill today or shop online to see our entire catalog of reliable appliances both you and your tenants will appreciate.
Why Trust Friedmans Appliance?
Established in 1922, Friedmans Appliance has been the most trusted name in the Bay Area for over 100 years. What started as a small appliance store in Oakland has expanded to include every appliance you need for your home. Our commitment to value, inspiration, and character has only grown, creating an unbeatable reputation for top-notch appliances. At Friedmans, we strive to give our customers the best of the best, including our selection of top appliance brands and our exceptional customer service. Speaking of which, we offer a 100-day price guarantee on all our products — the longest in the industry!
Our wide selection of appliances is just one of the reasons we’re the best Bay Area appliance store. We carry refrigerators in every style, every cooking appliance to show off your chef skills, and every dish care and laundry appliance you need for cleanup.
Shop Appliances at Friedmans
See for yourself why Friedmans is a trusted name in the Bay Area and shop appliances online. While we are located in Pleasant Hill, we deliver to all of Northern California — even Reno! If you have any questions, our team is always happy to help you learn why Friedmans has the best appliances for rental property owners, whether you call us at 925-808-2950, email us, or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by our appliance store in Pleasant Hill to experience the quality in person. Visit us today!
Learn More: Shop Local for Appliances: What You Need to Know