Refrigerator with Ice Maker in door or not?

[Parag D.]

Hi Folks - I am renting out a brand new built single family home. I have mentioned in my lease that I will be providing appliances as part of the rental. One of the appliance that I am planning to get is a brand new side-by-side refrigerator. My dilemma is whether to get one with ice maker/water dispenser in door or get one without the ice maker/water dispenser. I have read lots of refrigerator review where one of the primary concerns is faulty ice makers and the risks of water leakage/flooding.  I already have a renter who has signed the lease for two years though we haven't discussed the kind of appliances I would put in the house (as I had said it will be new and not what kind). He hasn't made any requests for specific appliances either. The renter seems to be a good family and didn't come across as pushy or demanding.

My thought of getting a refrigerator without ice maker/water dispenser is not driven by the cost of the refrigerator but the maintenance hassles that can happen further down the line. A quick check on zillow showed that 90% of houses for rent in my location are more than 20+ years old (so no direct comparison for newer houses on rent)- most have older refrigerators with ice maker/water dispensers in the door.

Also, I am not sure if a refrigerator without ice maker/water dispenser in the door will be a deal breaker or not after my first tenant leaves in two years and when I put the house again in the market to get new tenants.

Any thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[Theresa Harris]

I've never had a fridge with an ice maker in any of my rentals (or in my house).  As you said, you can have problems with the water line breaking and causing a flood.