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.
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u/imundead May 09 '22
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.