Connect icemaker in a rental?

[NetWareHead]

What do you guys think about offering a freezer icemaker to tenants? Im getting about an even split of yes/no answers. As predicted, landlords are mostly going to say no and tenants are mostly going to say yes. I'm keeping in mind that there is an alternative to this and that is to use old fashioned ice cube trays. So a freezer icemaker is not a must have and I view them as a luxury... I have no problem leaving it disconnected.

Pros:
-gutted kitchen with plumbing going in this week. The time to run a line would be now if I choose to do so.
-90% of the fridge/freezers I buy will have an integrated icemaker that requires a plumbing line, so I'm paying for it anyway
-dont need to use ice cube trays, tenant convenience
-cold filtered water straight from the fridge, also tenant convenience
-Might make my unit more competitive?

Cons:
-additional install costs
-one more component to break and landlord to fix
-needs filters, one more consumable for landlord to supply
-one more plumbing line to leak
-tenant moves fridge to clean and ruptures the line
-neglible convenience? really that big of a deal to most tenants?

Not really sure what to do and would welcome your opinions...

 

[NutBucket]

Why not just pull out the icemaker and plug the hole in the fridge? Then there's no issue.

FWIW I would just buy fridges without the icemaker. Plenty of those are still available. I'm assuming you're not renting properties that go for over $2k a month

 

[NetWareHead]

Why not just pull out the icemaker and plug the hole in the fridge? Then there's no issue.

Never seen a fridge with a removable icemaker. They look pretty integrated into the door

FWIW I would just buy fridges without the icemaker. Plenty of those are still available. I'm assuming you're not renting properties that go for over $2k a month

I havent purchased the fridge yet but yes that could be an option.

Rents will be higher than surround comparables due to other amenities offered so I'm wondering if I truly need the icemaker to help get me there...

 

[NutBucket]

A better question may be are there refrigerators in the competing rentals?

Not sure if this link will work: http://www.lowes.com/pd_660335-46-W...uctId=50304479&Ns=p_product_price|0&pl=1#noop

If you go with a top-freezer design it should be easy to find one sans icemaker. Honestly I wouldn't bother in a rental. As long as the appliances more or less match and are in good condition you should be good to go.

 

[TheGardener]

I think the real issues are what type of apartment do you rent, and do comparative rentals offer this convenience? If the apartments are better than average rentals, then I think your tenants will be expecting some conveniences. Of course you want to be able to at least recover your initial and ongoing costs in the monthly rent. If you can, then do it. It comes down to a business decision, and less about whether you personally think ice makers are needed.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I'm going to agree with The Gardener. You can either try to attract a high-end tenant or go for the norms. I bought refurbished/new appliances for my rental unit. They were scratch & dent, but not used and looked great, had an ice maker, etc.

A buddy of mine went the other route and rented lower-income housing. He had an appliance guy that supplied him with used, working appliances. When one broke down, rather than spending $100-150 on a repair and dealing with the time-consuming side of following up with the repairman/tenant through what is typically a 2-3 day process, he would simply forklift what was there and replace it with another unit for under $100 within 1 day from his guy who offered a warranty.

 

[Freejack2]

I would think the water filter is the tenant's responsiblity. However keep in mind you will probably end up having to repair the ice maker. When we were researching a refrigerator for our house, we found that the icemaker was one of the most common repairs to a refrigerator. I would say if you do, then account for that eventual repair in the rent.

 

[Humpy]

I'd think you would install the supply regardless of current plans to use it or not. There isn't much of an increase in leak potential, and there could be shutoff installed if for some reason you're worried about it more than any of the other supply lines in the house.

Buying an appliance with a common feature but not hooking it up would instantly expose you as a nickle-dick landlord IMO. Either buy a fridge without the water/ice dispenser, or provide a fully functional unit.