Moving into a new apartment complex can be stressful – you must ensure it has all the necessities on your list, from the number of bedrooms to the location. However, there are some things you shouldn’t need to be worried about. Essential appliances are included with any rental, right? We will discover if landlords provide refrigerators.
According to the Tenant-Landlord law, landlords are not required to provide refrigerators in Texas or any state. Houses or apartments without refrigerators are not considered unlivable, so they are not a legal obligation.
Are Landlords Required to Provide Refrigerators in Texas?
Texas state laws do not require landlords to provide refrigerators for their tenants. There is no state law addressing landlord and appliance laws in some states. However, counties and cities may vary.
Every state has different tenant-landlord laws, but they all follow similar premises. For most conditions, the landlords are required to provide everything that will make a home habitable. This generally includes specifics such as working doors, toilets, and electricity.
However, large and small appliances are not included on this list. Believe it or not, landlords in Texas are not required by law to provide refrigerators in apartments or homes. If you’re considering renting a house without a refrigerator, your potential landlord is not breaking the law.
Do Landlords Usually Provide Refrigerators?
Most landlords provide larger appliances such as ovens and refrigerators, making their properties more appealing. No one wants to move into a rental home that doesn’t have a refrigerator– it adds another layer of stress and expense to the moving process.
However, landlords that don’t provide refrigerators aren’t necessarily doing so out of cheapness. Sometimes, it’s an open offer to customize your living space for yourself. You can choose which refrigerator you want and any other large appliances.
If you are in love with an apartment, house, or duplex rental and it doesn’t come with a refrigerator, you can include that as part of your negotiations. Many landlords are willing to invest in a bare refrigerator to get you to move in. They’ll be able to use it for future renters as well.
Of course, you can always take the plunge and buy your refrigerator for the apartment. You’ll have to take it with you when you move out or sell it to your landlord at a discounted price.
What Are Landlords Required to Provide in Texas?
While landlords are not required to provide a refrigerator, they have a list of necessities every apartment should have. This is for the health and safety of each person living in the apartment or house. Here is a list of what landlords must supply in Texas:
- Locks and other safety measures
- Working electricity and running water
- Regular maintenance and necessary repairs
- Disclosures on all fees and agreements
- Anything that makes the rental property livable and safe.
The main requirement for Texas landlords is providing a habitable space. If a place isn’t safe enough for human life or becomes too unsafe, clients can take legal action against their landlord for neglect of duties.
These requirements are to make a renter’s life livable. Renters have certain rights, just like the landlords do, and if they aren’t being met, it’s possible to sue your landlord for breach of contract. While certain appliances aren’t on this list, maintenance and necessary repairs are.
What Type of Apartments Doesn’t Have Refrigerators?
Typically, apartments in Texas come with preinstalled refrigerators. It’s easier for landlords to deal with appliance issues if they’ve paid for the appliances themselves. Having the same refrigerator in every apartment makes it easier for maintenance men to know what they are dealing with when issues arise.
For the most part, only a few types of apartments don’t have refrigerators included. These are usually either single-room apartments or full-house rentals. Single-room apartments are meager in rent and include communal refrigerators in the common area.
Low-rent apartments that include single rooms are generally set aside for low-income renters who need a temporary apartment until they can set up somewhere more permanent. These housing situations often have communal meals, free food, or a combination of the two to assist with the necessities of life.
The other kind of housing that doesn’t always include refrigerators is a full house rental. While some houses come with major appliances, others work more like a home purchase and assume the renters will bring their instruments.
How do Appliances Work on a Lease?
Every set of laws is slightly different, so you should always look up the landlord agreement laws of your city and county. However, whatever the landlord and tenant agree to on a lease becomes legally binding. Any appliances owned by the renter are their responsibility.
Many landlords seek to save money by purchasing refrigerators and other large appliances and giving the renter repair and maintenance responsibility. They will include this clause in the lease, usually inferring that the devices are not part of the rent itself and, therefore, the renter’s responsibility.
A lease is a legally binding agreement between the landlord and the renter. Before you sign your lease, it’s crucial to read it over carefully and understand the terms you agree to. In many cases, landlords are willing to renegotiate specific lease times for your mutual benefit.
If you buy your refrigerator or other large appliance, you might be able to include it under landlord maintenance on your lease. You will have to discuss this with your landlord before the lease is signed and come to an agreement.
Every lease is different, and it’s crucial to read any legal agreement thoroughly before signing it. Whether you end up with a refrigerator or not, knowing your rights and responsibilities and the landlords will be helpful for any potential difficulties.
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