Replacing rental housing appliances can present serious budget questions so how do you know when to fix and when to replace appliances is the maintenance tip this week from Keepe.
Rental housing appliances can be major expenses for landlords and property managers, and it can be a stressful time on the budget when the time comes to repair or replace appliances.
Because of the high costs, it’s important to know what you’re doing when it comes to repairing or replacing your home appliances.
Before even looking at which parts are broken, think about these 3 questions in replacing rental housing appliances:
No. 1 – How old is the appliance?
Typically, the rule is to replace appliances that are more than halfway through their life span and if the cost of repair is more than half of the original cost. This is called the “50-Percent Rule.”
According to HouseLogic, the average life span of common major household appliances is:
- Compactor: 6 years
- Dishwasher: 9 years
- Disposal: 12 years
- Dryer: 13 years
- Electric range: 13 years
- Exhaust Fan: 10 years
- Freezer: 11yars
- Gas Range: 15 years
- Microwave: 9 years
- Range hood: 14 years
- Refrigerator: 13 years
- Washer: 10 years
No. 2 – Do you need a more energy-efficient appliance?
There should be a black-and-yellow Energy Guide label attached to every appliance. If the old appliance has low energy efficiency, it may be time to consider replacing it to save money in the long run. Tenants will appreciate it if they are the ones paying utility bills.
Some appliances carry an Energy Star label. These label certifies that the appliance is energy efficient and uses about 20 percent less energy than standard models
No. 3 – Do you and your tenants like the style?
Style is a completely personal preference and depends on the unit and your tenants’ preferences.
If you want coordination to keep the style of an upper-end rental, it is advised to replace everything at once to keep the design consistent. If you have recently replaced the refrigerator and the dishwasher is looks outdated compared to the fridge, it may be time to replace the dishwasher to keep the look cohesive throughout the kitchen.
7 signs that mean it is time to consider replacing rental housing appliances:
- A dryer is emitting smoke
- Rust on the sides of an oven
- Fridge compressor isn’t running
- A washer won’t spin or clothes are not getting clean
- A dishwasher stops its cycle before fully finished
- The appliance won’t turn on
- High water/electricity bill
Recent Keepe Maintenance Tips You May Have Missed:
6 Tips for Fixing Those Annoying Tenant Clogged Toilets
More Tips on Fixing Tenants’ Clogged Drains
7 Types Of Kitchen Countertops For Your Apartments
Are Ceiling Fans In Your Rental Property Worth It?
About Keepe:
Keepe is an on-demand maintenance solution for property managers and independent landlords. We make hundreds of independent contractors and handymen available for maintenance projects at rental properties in the Greater Seattle, Greater Phoenix, Greater San Francisco Bay and Greater Portland areas. We’re also expanding. Learn more about Keepe at http://www.keepe.com
