Washers & Dryers

Washers & Dryers

Why not including them could wash away additional profits, and how you should “dry” to include them.

The law of Implied Warranty of Habitability exists to make sure landlords and property managers cannot deny to provide tenants with services that would otherwise make a rental home or unit unfit to live in. This includes things like electrical lighting, working heat, plumbing, gas, etc. However, landlords and property managers do not need to provide appliances. These count as optional amenities that can help draw business and bring on board more potential tenants looking for these. This includes one of the most desirable features of any property: working washers and dryers.

Why then do so many apartments have basic appliances? It’s not hard to imagine why: the lack of these appliances can be frustrating to deal with as a tenant. Having them as part of an apartment unit package makes them very enticing. Besides, if an apartment complex that doesn’t have these appliances exists, you can bet there’s one a few blocks away that DOES possess them for tenant use. For the tenant, the competition between apartment complexes to provide better value for their apartment units benefits them. Some of the most common applicants for apartments are definitely in a position to not own much of their own furniture and appliances: young college students or single professionals.

As such, don’t spend too much time thinking about whether to do so. Despite the increased use of water and electricity for washers and dryers, the return on investment for them is too much to pass up. If they believe this is covered, potential tenants looking for these appliances may feel entitled to have these services. Explaining that these appliances are a feature on your property justify the increased price of rent. Otherwise, I’m sure there’s a laundromat down the street they wouldn’t mind using.