Should my tenant buy their own fridge?

[Jacquelyn First]

I’m 26 and have very little life, let alone real estate experience but I was able to buy my first single family home with my dad going in 25% in Southern California’s high desert.

My dad owns one other home up there and has told me we can have our tenants get their own fridge. This was pretty alarming to me as I’ve always rented from places that have fridges.

Is this normal? My instinct is to tell me dad no and just buy the cheapest aesthetically good looking fridge I can.

[Kevin Sobilo]

@Jacquelyn First, I've heard some landlords not provide refrigerators, washers, or dryers.

I understand not providing washers and dryers. Those are hard working appliances with many moving parts and seem to be more prone to breaking down.

I do not understand not providing a refrigerator. Sometimes a kitchen is only suited to a refrigerator of a certain size. Why would tenants want to own appliances and have to haul them around. Most homeowners buy the appliances with the home their purchase, why wouldn't a renter want to get a rental with appliances included.

As with most anything, I would first look at other rental listings in that area and determine was is "common" in your area. Then I would decide what aspects of my rental I want to be average/common and which areas I want to be BETTER!

I always want some areas where my rentals are better than comparable units. The house I'm rehabbing to rent now will have all appliances included (washer, dryer, refrigerator, stove, and microwave hood). The kitchen appliances will be brand new stainless steel. I expect to attract a good tenant who will hopefully want to stay a good while. If you don't provide a desirable product, why would a good tenant choose to stay?!? Vacancy costs are killers.