Should I leave appliances or furniture for my tenant?

It’s common for landlords to have furniture or appliances they no longer need. Perhaps the property was once owner-occupied, used as a city base, or contains items that seem too useful to throw away. But before leaving them for your tenant, it’s important to understand the responsibilities that come with including them in the tenancy.

Many landlords are surprised to learn that if you include a fridge, washing machine or other appliance in a tenancy, you’re generally responsible for maintaining it throughout the tenancy.

The Issue
Under New Zealand’s Residential Tenancies Act 1986, any chattels you provide as part of a tenancy become the landlord’s responsibility to maintain.

That means you can’t leave a fridge, washing machine, dryer or other appliance in the property and simply state that it won’t be repaired or replaced if it breaks down. If it’s included in the tenancy agreement, it must remain in working order throughout the tenancy.

This often catches landlords by surprise, particularly when they have items they no longer want themselves but don’t want the cost or hassle of storing.

What We Found
Recently, we rented a tidy two-bedroom apartment in Berhampore, Wellington, that had been used by the owner as a city bolt-hole. Alongside the fridge/freezer and washing machine that were intended to remain with the property, there were several smaller pieces of furniture, including a coffee table, sofa bed, bookcase, bedside tables and a floor rug.

The owner no longer had any use for these items and was planning to make a special trip to Wellington to remove and donate or dispose of them before the tenancy began.

Instead, our experienced letting agent, Carol, suggested another option.

The Solution
Rather than arranging removal, Carol recommended offering the furniture to the incoming tenant as a gift.

We photographed each item and sent the images to the tenant, making it clear that the items would become their property if they chose to accept them.

The tenant was delighted and happily accepted the furniture.

The owner avoided an unnecessary trip, transport and disposal costs, while the tenant gained several useful household items at no cost. Because the furniture had been gifted rather than included as landlord-owned chattels, the owner also avoided any ongoing maintenance or replacement obligations.

Why This Matters for Owners
Many landlords unknowingly create ongoing maintenance responsibilities simply by leaving unwanted items in a rental property.

If you no longer want an appliance or piece of furniture, you generally have four options: remove it, sell it, offer it to the tenant to purchase, or gift it to them. If the tenant declines, the item should be removed before the tenancy begins.

Experienced property management isn’t just about understanding tenancy law. It’s about finding practical solutions that protect landlords, reduce unnecessary costs and create positive outcomes for everyone involved. Sometimes a simple conversation can save time, money and future headaches.

If you require property management in Porirua, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, Northern Suburbs or Wellington, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Written by Lisa Nimmo
Property Consultant and Business Development Manager | Manage My Rental

Lisa Nimmo works with landlords throughout Wellington, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt and Porirua, providing rental appraisals and practical advice to help owners maximise returns, minimise risk and protect their investment properties.

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