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January 24, 2008
Dish Washer vs. More Cabinet Space
For all you renters out there, I want to get a true sense of what's more important. A clean, well put together apartment w/ reasonable rent. or a more expensive apartment w/ a dish washer and less cabinet space in the kitchen?
For Landlords with dishwashers in your rental, how much difference does it make to have a dishwasher in relation to the types of potential tenants that come?
Thanks
Comments
Personally I would prefer having the dishwasher, but that is because I hate washing dishes.
Posted by: guest at January 24, 2008 4:05 PM
I'm a resident landlord in a 2-fam house. When we rented out the apartment, we put it on CL ourselves and so met all the prospective tenants.
We specifically put in a D/W both for value and because we thought tenants might stay longer rather than seek an upgrade (one less hassle). Most people who came to see the apartment commented favorably on the D/W. I had to think it made a difference. Of course, it depends how little cabinet space, but it is easier for tenants to adjust to that or find a way to create additional storage.
It also reduces water usage.
Posted by: slopefarm at January 24, 2008 4:06 PM
As a landlord, I believe having a dishwasher has been a significant help in finding quality tenants. It's not an expensive item - $500 for a decent one/ way less than half a months rent - and if it does help you find a quality tenant, it will more than pay for itself. I wouldn't worry about cabinet space. If you have any at all, nobody will even notice.
Posted by: guest at January 24, 2008 4:07 PM
Extremely helpful. Thanks for your thoughts. Any others?
Posted by: PutnamStoner at January 24, 2008 4:41 PM
You should do a good design and figure out how to add both a dishwasher AND as much cabinet space as you can.
To get more cabinet space, put in the taller upper cupboards (it kills me how many landlords cheap out and put in the short ones, even in these tall brownstones with really high celings - what a waste of space). If space is really tight, you can do a 24" range instead of 30" - though some won't like that, though I prefer a 24" stove to a mini-dishwasher - put in a full-size dishwasher. Put a cupboard over the fridge (don't waste the space as a soffit.) And see if there is some space you can find to extend the kitchen and build in more. I find built-ins (like bookshelves, additional cupboards) are really appreciated in rentals - when I own, I don't want built-ins, as I want to do my own thing. When I rent, I appreciate built-ins, as I don't want to buy different stuff to furnish each rental.
More kitchen space certainly get you more mature renters, as most of us collect more stuff as we age. Though I was still a good tenant when I was younger and had less stuff, I certainly couldn't pay as much. People with money are generally willing to pay more, and people who pay more want basic stuff like dishwashers and the most cupboard space you can fit.
Posted by: guest at January 24, 2008 4:46 PM
DW can get a wow from prospective tenants...one more cabinet doesn't.
Posted by: guest at January 24, 2008 5:05 PM
I think 4:46 has it right. If you use an IKEA cabinet system, you can cheaply do one full height pantry unit and also be able to get a dishwasher. You can probably have both.
Posted by: guest at January 24, 2008 8:06 PM
I have a three family brownstone and a couple years ago I added dishwashers to the apartments. The tenants love it, but the roaches hate it! I no longer see any roaches in the house because tenants do not leave dirty dishes out anymore. I have a washer dryer set up in the basement too for the tenants. Anything you can do to keep quality tenants is a smart move.
Posted by: Rick at January 25, 2008 6:26 AM
Last one into the ark pulls up the gangplank
Posted by: guest at January 25, 2008 9:28 AM
I'm a landlord and vote for the DW (I've always found a tenant for my place in 24 hours max; we also put in a stacked washer/dryer). If space is really tight, you can opt for an 18-inch model.
Posted by: tinarina at January 25, 2008 10:09 AM
Dishwashers and washer/dryers are the kind of thing were you "never go back" to not having them. With them, you will get a higher income renter.
Posted by: guest at January 25, 2008 1:58 PM
Good point about roaches. 1:58 is right too, that you get a higher income renter.
I'm with 4:46 about those cheap short cabinets on high brownstone walls. Homeowners even do that in their owner's unit too. At the least, people should put wall-mount shelving units about prefab short cabinets. Not everything has to be matchy matchy. You can do Ikea cabinets and Ikea shelves that aren't part of the same collection. Or you can do any kind of chrome metal or steel shelving above any type of painted or stained wall cabinet and it will look good. Experiment a bit.
Posted by: guest at January 25, 2008 3:55 PM
Or another idea, you can mount the short cabinet higher up on the wall, and put an open shelf all along the wall underneath the cabinet. An open shelf at that height is great for spices and things that people need to grab quickly when cooking.
Posted by: guest at January 25, 2008 3:57 PM
GE makes the spacemaker dishwasher which goes under the sink
i use these in smallish kitchens to make sure that a dw gets in my one bedrooms or i use an 18" if i don't have space - several manufacturers
get the dw
Posted by: guest at January 25, 2008 4:57 PM
We have been using a compact 18" Avanti water-efficient dishwasher in our rental. It gets used often and we have NO cockroaches!
Posted by: guest at February 5, 2008 4:23 PM
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