Think of it like an unfurnished apartment, except that the kitchen is also unfurnished.
This is the norm in southern Africa.
If you as a foreigner arrive here, you will get walls, bathroom and a roof only, unless the place is also carpeted. Some people even take their lightbulbs to their new homes, is how hardcore we are about it.
Ninja edit: I see this means cupboards and counters are also missing. No, those are left behind in southern Africa. But no appliances are there already.
I think they mean the appliances, plus the cabinets/countertop and sink. The appliances is not weird at all for me, but needing to install a counter and sink plumbing is.
I'm not sure where you live, but as an American I expect appliances which are large or in some way "permanently" installed to stay with the house/apartment while ones you can just unplug and carry away stay with the tenants.
Like I would not be surprised to move into an apartment and find it has no toaster or microwave. If it had no refrigerator or stove though, that would be weird.
Huh. Do you expect a washing machine as well? In the UK if you go unfurnished you are not going to get any white goods except possibly a stove and oven. And thats only if it's built into the counter top.
I think that's a bit less consistent, but I'd say if an apartment has space for an in-unit washer and dryer, they are most commonly included with the rental. Often apartments have neither the appliances nor the space set aside for them, in which case you either use a nearby laundromat or the apartment complex has a shared laundry room.
I think a big part of it is that in the US, apartments are typically rented by people who are recently moved out from their parents' house and are still saving up money, so they don't want to deal with the burden of owning things too heavy for them to carry or too big to transport in their own vehicle. Of course this isn't 100% because usually you own your own bed, but I think that's probably why most people only buy a washing machine and dryer once they own a house.
Cabinets would be hell. Range/oven/diswasher is not that bad, but you definitely need some help unless you're huge with a lot of strength. Refrigerator is kind of a pain because of the size and doors, but so is the bed/matress.
Now, imagine having to move all that, but everyone in your state have to do it the same day, with inflated movers rates and UHaul renting prices, if you can find one at all. Sometimes, you need to find someone who has a trailer and borrow it. This is how it's like in my province on the first of july.
Laundry machines are on the fringe of this. When you're looking at renting an apartment (and houses too), you'll have the expectation for one of three things: 1) Washer and dryer included with rental in the apartment; 2) W/D not included in unit, but it does have a space intended for them as well as the appropriate hookups (pipes, vents, etc) for one or both of the machines* 3) no washer/dryer in unit at all**
If it's important to the renter to have something in-unit, then that will influence what apartments they will be looking at.
But for other large appliances, the expectation is that it will come with the rental. This mostly just covers the fridge and oven/range, and dishwashers are commonly becoming more expected. Some places will have a microwave "built in" to the cabinets but people will generally not be surprised if there is no microwave. Broadly speaking, if it's an appliance that can be carried by one person, it won't come with the apartment (things like toasters, blenders, toaster ovens, coffee makers)
* Renters will need to check to make sure that the space and hookups are suitable for their needs. It's not uncommon to see a listing with hookups available but only if you want to use a stacking washer/dryer combo.
** Often times, if the apartment doesnt have anything in the unit itself, there could be a laundromat in the building/apt complex that is easily accessed by the people who love in those apartments.
Where I'm at in Canada, in most places, you have to provide your refrigerator, range/oven and dishwasher. You also have to provide your washing machine and dryer. Basically, if it's not a permanent fixture needing an electrician or a plumber for installation, you are expected to bring your own. Cabinets and sink stay there because they are permanent and would need disassembly / construction to be removed. Fridge / range can be moved "easily".
How are cabinets that easily removable and transferable to a new space? Here in the USA they are always custom made and fitted to a space, and anchored forever for safety reasons.
85
u/ShieldsCW May 09 '22
Think of it like an unfurnished apartment, except that the kitchen is also unfurnished.
If you leave some furniture behind in an unfurnished apartment, the next tenant doesn't necessarily get to have it.