making improvements to a rental?

[hilwithonelary]

We moved into a rental house 2 weeks ago. Overall, I like it. There are a few stylistic things I would change if we had purchased it, but I can live with the ugly dining room paint and office carpet.

The one thing that is really bothering me is the crappy dishwasher. We remodeled our kitchen in our last house and put in an awesome dishwasher a few years ago. With as many dishes as we do with a 2 year old and a baby, I really miss it.

We're considering asking the landlord if we can put in a new dishwasher. We were thinking of asking if he'd want to split the cost 50/50. Our plan is to offer to pay for all of it if he says no. Is that weird? Should we just offer to pay for the whole thing to start with?

[y4m]

I'd start with 50-50: that sounds like win-win. No reason not to try--I hope it works for you guys!!

[cahabalily]

I have successfully negotiated landscaping for rent deductions before- it never hurts to ask, but try 50/50 first.

[futurepivko]

Are you planning on leaving it when you eventually move out?

[Deleted]

I guess it's worth a try. My landlord refuses to purchase any appliances when the old ones work. We hated the fridge that was here, so DH asked him if we could replace it with one we already had (we sold our house and the buyers didn't want the fridge.) He said yes, and said he may purchase it from us when we move out. He owns 50+ properties though and said he was going to put the old fridge in another rental he has. I guess it depends on the landlord. If he doesn't want to pay us for it when we move and wants to bring the old one back in, we'll sell it on Craigslist or something.

[hilwithonelary]

May 13, 2012 17:36:17 GMT -5 @futurepivko said:

Are you planning on leaving it when you eventually move out?

Yes, we'd leave it behind when we move, which will likely be in 3 years.

[polarbearfans]

Usually for rentals they buy the cheapest models so they don't have to pay for any repairs the handyman can't fix. They just replace them. It doesn't hurt to ask. If you are able to buy a new one you will need to make sure the model you want can even it in the space

[agnes]

When we moved into our house (rental) we asked the owner/landlord if we could put in our dishwasher and store her old one. She loved the idea. It never hurts to ask.

[mccallister84]

I'd love it if a tenant wanted to replace an appliance and leave it when they move out. Whether or not I'd be willing to split the cost would depend upon the condition of the old.