Ceiling fans in SFH: Remove or replace?

[Kevin Hwang]

Hi all, I recently closed on my first rental property - a 3/2/2 SFH in the greater Houston area. There are ceiling fans in all the bedrooms. They're in pretty bad shape. If I want the house to have the fans, I'd have to replace them. Or I could just remove them. Here's what I'm thinking:

REPLACE ceiling fans because:
1. They would probably save wear and tear on the AC. (Tenants will be responsible for the actual AC bill.)
2. They might increase the perceived value and allow me to charge slightly more rent.

REMOVE ceiling fans because:
1. I'd have to keep fixing them if they break.

What do you all think?

[John Chapman]

Hi Kevin, I would totally replace the ceiling fans. In my experience, tenants love/demand them anyway, and particularly for a 3/2 house, I would think they would expect them. I used to not put them in but quickly learned that tenants in Texas really want them so now I budge for them in every rehab.