Fridges

[Richlist]

I've never been very fortunate in my rental properties with fridges. Every time I put a new fridge into a property, within 12- 18 months I usually find that the door to the small freezer/ice box is broken off, usually due to ice. This is normally because the tenant hasn't defrosted the fridge.

I've just had another broken fridge returned so I guess I have two main options:   (the previous tenant will be contributing to a replacement via their deposit!)

1. Buy a more expensive fridge with auto defrost.

2. Buy a small 2 door fridge/ freezer instead which has a separate compartment/ door for the freezer.

Price for basic fridge was around £110. Price for small fridge/freezer £140

I've decided to go with option 2.......What do others do about fridges ?????

[Carryon Regardless]

3. Let them provide their own fridge.

They will have more respect for it then.

[Melboy]

I always supply a 'fridge where possible. More often than not the tenant will have their own fridge freezer anyway.  I always buy second hand 'fridges as well for around £60.  Plenty available if you look for them and most of them are nearly new..  The last one I bought for £50 has lasted 8 years and is still going strong so for me this plan works.

I have a spare f'ridge in my garage which I keep for any replacement but so far after 3 years nobody has asked for it.

Washing machines I just do not supply. Too many bad experiences over the years with tenant abuse and high repair bills.

[Mortitia]

I find tenants tend to have their own ginormous fridge/freezer arrangement but there are exceptions - in London where white goods are expected I provide matching J.Lewis under counter fridge and freezer.

In my 2 furnisheds elsewhere I am supplying the Kenwood or Russell Hobbs ( same maker)under counter fridge freezer combo in black.(£120).  Had one 3 years now and no problems - looks stylish and does the job especially in 1 bed units. 

[Melboy]

Funny enough we had a very nice 'fridge in silver come into our Cancer charity shop today  (. I work 1 day a week for a Terminal Cancer Hospice.. Tuesday )

It was spot on condition wise and I priced it up just £60. We probably get a dozen fridges or freezers every month and they normally do sell very quickly. The only downside is we can only offer a 7 day guarantee of return but it is very rare for items to come back to us. All PAT tested of course.

[Richlist]

Thanks for the responses.

Some of those ideas are not something that would suit my situation.

* separate fridge and freezer won't work for me because in my small flats space is already a premium and they just wouldn't fit.

* not providing a fridge could be an option but my applicants expect to have one provided. Not having a fridge on the inventory might compromise it's ability to let and /or adversly affect its rent level.

* I don't want to either spend time sourcing a second hand fridge or have a spare stored just in case it's needed.

Funny how some tenants can jog along happily without a problem for 10 years or more and others manage to damage anything they touch.....oh the joys of landlords.

[kerbut]

We only have 2 properties where fridges are supplied , both have Bosh larder fridges with no ice box to freeze up .In our holiday let we have a built in larder fridge as when we lived there we had a separate freezer in the utility.