Best Appliances for a Rental Property: What to Buy and What to Avoid

Best Appliances for a Rental Property: What to Buy and What to Avoid

Choosing appliances for a rental property requires a different mindset from buying for your own home. The focus shifts to reliability, cost-effectiveness, ease of use for tenants and durability under varied usage patterns. This guide gives Australian landlords practical advice on the best appliances to install and what to avoid.

The Rental Property Appliance Philosophy

Rental appliances should be: reliable (low call-out rates), easy to operate (tenants won't read manuals), simple to service (common parts, available technicians), and priced at a point where replacing them every 8–10 years makes financial sense. Avoid ultra-premium appliances with complex electronics — they cost more to repair and may be misused by tenants.

Fridge: What to Buy

Best choice: 400–520L top-mount fridge/freezer
Top-mount fridges are more energy-efficient per litre than bottom-mount models, have fewer mechanical components, and are the most affordable to purchase and replace. Brands: Westinghouse 517L, Fisher & Paykel 519L, LG 450L.

Avoid: French door fridges with ice and water dispensers (more expensive to repair, ice makers are a common failure point) for most rental properties.

Washing Machine: What to Buy

Best choice: 7–8kg top-load washing machine
Top-loaders are simpler mechanically, have fewer seals and gaskets to fail, and are easier for tenants to use correctly. They are also less likely to develop the odour issues common to front-loaders when used incorrectly. Brands: Westinghouse 7kg, Simpson 7.5kg, LG 8kg.

Avoid: Front-load washers for most rentals (door seals fail, mould issues if tenants don't follow care instructions).

Oven and Cooktop: What to Buy

Best choice: Freestanding 60cm electric slide-in cooker
An all-in-one freestanding or slide-in cooker (oven + cooktop in one unit) simplifies installation, is easy to clean and replace, and requires no under-bench cabinetry. For cooktop type: a ceramic glass electric cooktop (or induction) reduces risk of gas incidents in rental properties. Brands: Westinghouse 60cm, Electrolux 60cm.

Avoid: Gas cooktops in older properties without modern gas safety upgrades. Pyrolytic ovens (extra cost with no benefit for most rental tenants).

Dishwasher: What to Buy

Recommendation: Consider carefully based on property tier
Standard dishwashers add value in mid-to-upper-tier rental properties but add a maintenance overhead for budget rentals. If including one, choose a simple built-in model from Bosch (highly reliable) or Westinghouse. Avoid dishwashers with Wi-Fi connectivity or complex electronic touch controls.

Air Conditioning: What to Buy

Best choice: Reverse cycle split system in living room
A reverse cycle split system in the main living area is now expected in mid-to-upper tier Sydney rental properties. A single Daikin, Fujitsu or Mitsubishi Electric 2.5–3.5kW model with a 5-year parts and labour warranty is the right choice. Avoid ducted systems for investment properties unless it's a premium property.

Appliance Package Summary

Investment Property Packages at Oceania Appliances

We work with many Sydney landlords and property managers to supply investment property appliance packages. Contact us at support@oceaniaappliances.com.au or visit our Wetherill Park showroom. Open 7 days 10am–8pm.