Household Appliances

What residents value most in kitchen and laundry amenities.

By Philip Shea, Associate Editor

This month, MHN teamed up with research and consulting services firm Kingsley Associates to discover what residents are looking for in household appliances. In this day and age, many renters—especially younger tenants—are opting for quick and easy options over traditional avenues for cooking, cleaning, etc. As a result, properties that do not provide amenities such as microwaves and in-house laundry may be out of luck, as this is a priority on many prospects’ wish lists. Additionally, having the most up-to-date appliances provides extra assurance to residents that they are getting the best bang for their rent buck.

 “I really enjoyed that all countertops were granite and the appliances were black.” —Austin
“The appliances should all be working upon move-in. When I moved in, my garbage disposal, dryer, hot water tank and light bulbs were all not functioning correctly, and the dryer and hot water tank have still not been fixed correctly.” —Waltham, Mass.
“I had to replace the kitchen faucet myself because management told me that they would not do it.” —Birmingham, Ala.
“The apartment we toured showed upgraded appliances and finishings. When we moved in, we were surprised to see the old model stoves, refrigerator and bathroom fixtures.” —Morrow, Ga.
“The rent is extremely high for the quality of [the] appliances and tubs/shower units. They have been a frustration and a disappointment, [and] because of those I would probably not recommend this property.” —San Mateo, Calif.
“We felt it was odd that there were no microwaves in the units.” —Columbia, Md.
“Our refrigerator failed on a Sunday morning and I was offered several options for keeping my food safe and had a new refrigerator within 24 hours. Great service!” Cumberland, R.I.
“I would like to see several of the large appliances in my apartment replaced with modern energy-efficient models.” —San Diego
“My kitchen and laundry appliances are very old and have never worked properly, especially the washer, dryer and dishwasher. More often than not, I have to do a second run. It’s very frustrating and a waste of my time and electricity.” —Irvine, Calif.
“For nearly $3,000 a month, the appliances should be stainless steel, as they are in other apartment complexes.” —Westbury, N.Y.
“The oven and dishwasher are not of the best quality. I usually have to modify any baking temperatures because of this reason. My dishes are not always clean or smell clean after I wash them and many times I have to hand wash my dishes afterwards.” —San Antonio