I've mentioned before that we're looking to rent our house out since we'll be moving back to Oklahoma. We're going to look into everything a bit more and talk to property managers and such but I have just a few questions. As far as appliances, what is required to be left in the house? I know that, when you sell, you need to leave certain appliances. Is is the same for rentals? We have a range microwave (the ones above the stove) and it's in decent shape BUT the oven feature doesn't work. We never use that feature but my husband said that we'll need to buy a new one for the renters. The ones that I've found are a bit expensive so I'm wondering if it NEEDS to be done. If so, we'll do it. 

You aren't required to leave anything as long as you disclose it's not included with the rental.

I have looked at a lot of rentals over the last 6 months. Almost all come with a dishwasher and oven....microwaves, fridges and washer/dryers all depends on what the owners choose to leave or take with them.

The place i ended up getting came with all major appliances except a fridge and washer/dryer. 

we're leaving the stove and dishwasher. the stove isn't fantastic but it's the one that was here when we bought it. we've used it for the past 3 years and it's still in working order. he's talked about buying a new stove, too. i think he feels that nobody will want to rent it unless we have brand new appliances and such! 

we're leaving the stove and dishwasher. the stove isn't fantastic but it's the one that was here when we bought it. we've used it for the past 3 years and it's still in working order. he's talked about buying a new stove, too. i think he feels that nobody will want to rent it unless we have brand new appliances and such! 

Brand new is a bonus sure, but "in working order" is more important. Obviously the less appliances a renter needs to provide the easier it will be to rent the house out. Most renters don't want to buy a fridge/microwave...etc unless it's going to be a long term rental.

Case in point i needed a fridge for the place i got. So i found a used one and talked them down from $100 to $50, brought it home and cleaned it out real well, but i sure wouldn't have bought a $1000+ fridge to go in a rental house because who knows if i'd need it or not at the next place or when i purchase a home. 

well, we could actually leave the fridge. we're buying his grandparents old house because they bought a new one. right before they moved, they bought brand new stainless steel appliances. they left them in the house for us to have them. so, we don't NEED the fridge back home. however, we will need to take the washer and dryer. 

You will need to install a carbon monoxide detector if:

a) you have any gas appliance like a stove, dryer or gas logs

or

b) you have an attached garage on your home.

It's a law that was passed in 2010.

Keep in mind, if you are providing any appliances, and they are spelled out in the lease (which you should do, so the tenant doesn't just pack them up and take them with them), you are responsible for maintaining them for the tenant.

Example: You are leaving the stove and fridge. If they should break down, you will be responsible for the cost of their repair/replacement if you don't state otherwise in the lease. 

you are responsible for maintaining them for the tenant.

i didn't even think about that 

How much are you renting your place for and how many bedrooms? 

You can state in the lease if they break you aren't responsible for fixing them.
A friend renting a place that had an old stove and that was put in the lease. As long as its states in the lease. 

We are leaving all the appliances with our house except the washer/dryer. None are older than 5 years though. 

You can state in the lease if they break you aren't responsible for fixing them

we are landlords but i think this is not a good thing to do - i mean if you want a good tenant treat them with a bit of respect. do you expect them to buy a new stove if it breaks or go without cooking or worse, risk them using camp cookers?

equipment deteriorates with use and time, of course things are going to break down and need replacing or repairs 

If you are looking to replace appliances- I got my stove off of craigslist when I bought my house, only 200 bucks brand new. It had come with a house a woman bought, but she had her own appliances, so we got a steal! Keep an eye out, because when I was looking at rentals I did keep appliances in mind when choosing which one I wanted. 

How much are you renting your place for and how many bedrooms?

we're in temecula. we're not certain on a price yet but some of the property managers that we've talked to suggested about $1650/month. 1556 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bath. There's also an extra room. The people that lived her before us, used it as a bedroom but it doesn't have a closet. We used it as an entertainment room. We're not leaving until around May or June. As far as the appliances, I completely forgot that our home warranty covers that. We were told that we can also add the tenants names on the policy as individuals that are allowed to call and make a claim. It's just a $60 claim fee and then everything else is taken care of. We can pay it or have the tenants pay it. 

I know you said you were looking into a property manager, definately recommend that. We rented our house using Military By Owner, got a Gunny to rent our place, we drew up a lease, and it became a nightmare with that family!! They broke everything, they didnt pay their rent, and they broke the lease (UGH). After that we have been using a property manager and its headache free!

Another thing to look into, property insurance. Ours told us they COULD NOT cover our home because it was a rental property, they said many companies shy away from covering a rental property. 

We rented our house using Military By Owner

someone has already told us to do that instead of a property manager. my husband has contemplated it because he said that our home warranty would pretty much take care of anything as far as repairs. if we put them on the claim list then they could call and make a claim, too. we're still talking with different property managers, though. we haven't decided on anything yet. i'm a bit nervous to do it without a property manager though. 

i'm a bit nervous to do it without a property manager though.

You should be ESPECIALLY being out of state. We were only 2.5 hours away and I tell ya, it was nothing short of a nightmare.

Our property manager takes care of the house 100%. They just write us a check and mail it to us. 

We are going to use a property manager for sure. If nothing else if something breaks the company already has contracts with companies that provides services at a cheaper rate. We will be over 2500 miles away, it will be worth it to me. 

did you have to pay alot up front? we're in temecula and one of the property managers told us that we have to pay like $400 up front for background checks and such. blah! i guess if it's worth it though, then it's worth it. 

We will be over 2500 miles away

Exactly! Our tenants were calling us left and right! No joke. Because there was "an ant infestation" or "The light went out" OMG!!! "the cooktop shattered"
"the refridgerator filter is out"... 

If nothing else if something breaks the company already has contracts with companies that provides services at a cheaper rate.

our claim fee is only $60 so once that's paid, everything else is taken care of. 

we have to pay like $400 up front

We paid $300 upfront, but it was for a "maintenance fund". 

our claim fee is only $60 so once that's paid, everything else is taken care of.

Does it cover pest control? Landscaping? Carpet care? Paint? 

We paid $300 upfront, but it was for a "maintenance fund".

yeah, they said that it's for a background check for tenants and to list the place and that it's a one time fee. then they said that if a lease is renewed, it'll only cost us $15. however, if the lease isn't renewed then we have to pay them $149 to find new tenants. we really wouldn't need a "maintenane fund" with our home warranty. we have everything covered through that. 

Does it cover pest control? Landscaping? Carpet care? Paint?

no landscaping but i'm pretty sure it covers everything else. well, i'm going to backtrack...maybe it doesn't cover those things. it covers major things like appliances, floor damage, water leaks, etc. i know those other things could add up though. we'll make sure to put money back or give it to the property manager. they didn't mention that, though. they just said the money was for background checks. 

It still gives you peace of mind though. Let the property managers take cre of all the dirty work for you. Its hard to know who you are renting your home to without credit checks and all that. 

true! we've already got an appointment with a property manager to look at the house on friday! so, we'll see! :) 

Good luck! Its so hard leaving a house like that. I miss mine daily. :( 

Good luck! Its so hard leaving a house like that. I miss mine daily. :( 

I know we will. There is no way we will find anything where we are moving as big or as nice. Also I won't be able to paint and the like however I want. We also have animals and it's going to be a pain to find a place that will allow them. When it's your own house you can do whatever the heck you want, lol 

When it's your own house you can do whatever the heck you want, lol

AMEN to that! Thats what I miss the most. 

I think you.mentioned your oven not working or something. If that is the case, I personally would not rent from you. Rarely will you find a place to rent or even buy that doesn't already have a stove so buying one would be useless since it would just be for that place.