Tired of raiding Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace for a properly used fridge as it didn’t come with a new apartment?
This headache could be a thing of the past with the new California Legislature bill.
Why are there some rentals listed without a fridge?
The simple answer is that the landlord doesn’t need to provide a refrigerator.
Existing California law involves “a building with residential units is required to maintain certain characteristics to be able to move in,” including proper heating and maintenance of hot water systems.
Cooking and storing food may seem necessary to live in any type of residential situation, but legally appliances are classified as amenities.
According to a 2022 Times analysis, the number of Californians entering new leases without such luxury items is much larger than any other state.
According to the survey, Los Angeles and Orange Counties “provided the fewest apartments with refrigerators among around 20 metropolitan areas across the country.”
Why is the lack of a refrigerator so painful?
The additional cost of purchasing the appliance is added.
According to Zillow, the average monthly rent for Los Angeles is $2,347, which is higher than the national average of $1,995.
However, the highest average rent in the surrounding area is $4,500 for Ladera Heights.
When you enter a lease, you are offering your landlord the first month’s rent and deposit. If you don’t have a refrigerator, you’re considering searching for a new appliance online or searching for a used appliance.
Product analysts say the average price for a new refrigerator is between $600 and $2,300, the basic ones are between $200 and $600, and the higher-end ones are between $2,300 and $5,000.
If you’re in the market for second hand fridges, the time found on Facebook Marketplace is $25 for a two-door whirlpool. The seller described it as “the outside doesn’t look that good, but it’s great for garages and the outside.”
What Assembly Bill 628 does
When Congressional Tina McKinner (D-Hawthorne), which covers the community from Inglewood to Marina del Rey, introduced Congressional Bill 628, she noticed that refrigerators and stoves were legally labelled as amenities. She decided to make it necessary in the new bill.
If this bill passes, from January 1, 2026, as a landowner’s requirement, each will be able to add a stove and refrigerator in good working conditions, and generate heat for cooking and storage, respectively.
McKinner said there is a regular town hall with her community and the main topics of concern she heard from constituents are providing rent, rising grocery prices and daily bills.
“We know people really struggle with the high costs of food, gas and household goods. On top of that, many people spend more than half of their income on rent,” she said.
She hopes the lessee has one less payment to think about when entering a new lease.
If the bill is approved, the landlord “cannot rent you without a fridge, just as you can’t be there without hot running water or heaters,” McKinner said.
There are several rentals that come with the appliance, but McKinnor hopes everyone has much needed items.
If it breaks down, who will be in charge of the appliance?
McKinner said the landlord will be in charge of fixing or replacing the refrigerator, just like any heater that needs repairs or replacements.
Will the appliance be a requirement to raise rental prices?
In LA, landlords can increase rent once every 12 months.
Rentals not subject to the Rent Stabilization Ordinance are as follows:
A single family affordable housing or luxury housing units were exempted by the Los Angeles Housing Division, which was built after October 1, 1978.
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