Blog Post

Evaluating Appliances for Rentals

Dustin Edwards • Oct 09, 2020

Keep Your Tenant Happy with Well Maintained Appliances

Kitchen Appliances for Long Beach Rental
When you own a rental property one of the items that doesn’t always cross your mind to evaluate is that of the appliances. The major systems (i.e. heating, plumbing, and electrical) are always thought of as they are deemed essential, but try not having a functioning range in your property and you will see that appliances are just as essential.  

Find out more how you can evaluate the age of your appliances and keep happy tenants with the right appliances for your Long Beach rental property.

Lifespan of Appliances
After having successful tenants rent your property over the years it can be easy to forget that your appliances are aging and wearing down. While some appliances breaking down can simply be an inconvenience (i.e. a range) other appliances can cause damage when they break down (i.e a dishwasher flooding a cabinet). When a tenant leaves your property take the time, as part of your exit evaluation, to understand the lifespan of each of your appliances and determine if it might be time to replace them. Consider the average lifespan for the following key appliances:

Appliance Lifespan
Refrigerator 14
Dishwasher 12
Range (Gas) 19
Garbage Disposal 13

Note: You can find additional appliances and their average lifespan at Mr. Appliance where they cite the 23rd annual portrait of the appliance industry report.


To help you in evaluating the age of your appliances consider using an online resource such as
Appliance411.  With the following pieces of information you can quickly see if you might be at the end of the time with a given appliance.


  • Brand
  • Appliance Type
  • Location
  • Model No
  • Serial No


Repair or Replace an Appliance for Your Rental Property?

There is an old adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” but in the world of property ownership this can cause you greater challenges.  Older appliances could cause damage to property, sour a relationship with a great tenant, and even cost you a greater yield on your monthly rental (after all who is looking for an olive green refrigerator these days).


In our experience we have found that an appliance is worth repairing when it falls into two main conditions:


  • Appliance is newer (i.e. <3 years old)
  • A major component does not cost more than 50% of replacing it


If your appliances are getting well above the average age for an effective lifespan consider replacing all of them at the same time.  There are often specials you can capitalize on for purchasing them all from the same manufacturer and when you have time to look for a deal vs. having to buy it immediately you can often land a better value.


At Beach Cities Property Management we want your property to be well maintained from the appliances to major systems.  When you would like to find out more about how we help evaluate the appliances to ensure they are in top shape for each tenant we invite you to request our
Free Rental Analysis to see how we can help.


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By Dustin Edwards 01 May, 2024
Everyone wants to feel safe in their homes. As an investment property owner, it's up to you to decide whether or not to include security measures in your property. Many of the costs associated with the security measures can be included in the rent, meaning not only can you keep your property safe, but you can earn more income in the long run. However, you would still want your tenants to have renters insurance to protect their assets. Today, we’ll discuss the top five security measures you can add to your property and why they're beneficial to you and your tenant. Security Cameras Cameras are probably one of the first security measures people think about when asked about security. Cameras provide more benefits than just surveillance. They provide an extra level of security for the safety of the tenants and their belongings. Additionally, security cameras can be useful when repairs are required. Cameras can aid in supervising repairs and maintenance to ensure you’re receiving the agreed-upon work. During vacancies when the property is empty, security cameras can help keep the property safe from potential intruders. Doorbell cameras are incredibly popular now. They provide the aforementioned safety of a camera that can be accessed remotely, as well as the ability to communicate with visitors. Although one must be careful never to say you're not home, just say you're unavailable to strangers. Security Lights Security lights with motion detectors are another effective tool when adding security measures to your property. These lights brightly if a potential intruder attempts to get near your home. They can provide enough illumination to see the intruder or, at the very least, scare them off. Nowadays, you can find a combination of security cameras and motion-activated security lights, such as the floodlight cam wired plus from Ring . Additionally, because these lights only turn on when motion is detected, they’re more cost-effective than traditional lights with a switch. Illuminate the Property Light generally deters intruders as it's more difficult to hide. Adding lighting to the landscaping can increase the security of the property while creating a relaxing atmosphere. Lights can also be used in other areas of the property to accent features such as trees, benches, or artwork. This can help your property stand out while giving your tenants an additional feeling of safety. Keyless Entry Keyless entry is seen as both a convenience feature and a security feature. They usually use an electronic passcode, biometric data, or grant access through a smartphone app. Physical keys can be lost, stolen, or duplicated. You reduce the risk of unauthorized entry by eliminating the need for a physical key to enter the property. Many keyless entry systems include several features, such as remote locking and monitoring. Although keyless entry is a great new technology for keeping your tenants and properties safe, they’re best used with other security systems. Security Company Nothing beats having an extra pair of eyes on your property for security. This is where security companies like ADT and SimpliSafe come in. While companies may deal with security in varying ways, they aim to protect your investment. While safety is the primary role of a security company, remember that many tenants may be willing to pay more for a premium amenity like a home security company. Keeping your property and tenants safe is incredibly important to the longevity of an investment property. If you’re looking to improve the security of your Long Beach rental property or need help managing your beach city rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our Owner Application online .
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