South Side Chicago Appliances Provided by Tenant

[Mark Ainley]

We started just over 3 years ago not providing appliances(mostly only stove and fridge) for our rentals on the southside of Chicago due to high tenant neglect we experienced the previous 6 years.  We were experiencing that as us the landlord had to pay for repairs and us as the PM has to deal with the headache of getting it done.  It is working out great for us for the units we don't provide them to.  We trade off a smaller non-refundable move in fee for never having an appliance work order that most of the time we are unable to handle internally with our maintenance staff.  

Wondering if anyone else has thought about trying this out?  Wouldn't be a bad trend to start on South Side if anyone is interested more in hearing the many benefits we have experienced over the past three years now. 

Keyword: Woodlawn, Hyde Park, Washington Park, Deering, South Shore, Englewood, 

[Mark Ainley]

@Vish Iyer we do work with a few subsidies (other than CHA) in Chicago and they do require appliances but they are all ok with us buying the tenant a used set ($500) and give them to the tenants. Tenants will become responsible for all repairs and own the appliances. In these cases we will up the non refundable fee to 49% of the monthly rent so our out of pocket is minimal from our typical scenario.