the Fridge-Free Reality of LA Apartments

Imagine searching for an apartment and discovering that a refrigerator isn’t included. This scenario, surprisingly common in los Angeles, might soon be a thing of the past. A new bill is making it’s way through the California Legislature,seeking to mandate that landlords provide both stoves and refrigerators in rental units.

The current situation, where renters are often expected to supply their own refrigerators, has become a defining characteristic of the Southern California housing market.This practice stands in stark contrast to many other urban areas across the United states.In fact, L.A.and Orange Counties have the fewest number of units with refrigerators among large urban areas across the country. according to a 2022 report.

Confusion and Surprise: The Tenant Experience

The lack of provided refrigerators frequently catches prospective tenants off guard, particularly those relocating from other regions where such appliances are considered standard. Online platforms are filled with bewildered inquiries from renters encountering this unusual custom. For example,Sarah Fraser,a podcast host who relocated to L.A. from washington, D.C., shared her initial reaction: You just assume when you are a tenant that you’re going to have these basic appliances.

Fraser’s experience highlights the common assumption that essential appliances are part of a rental unit. During her apartment search, she was surprised to find that approximately half of the units lacked a refrigerator. I had no idea that it was a thing, she admitted, describing the experience as unexpected and perplexing.

AB 628: A Legislative Push for Appliance Inclusion

Assembly Bill 628, introduced by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, aims to rectify this situation. If enacted, the legislation would require California landlords to furnish stoves and refrigerators in all new apartment leases starting January 1, 2026. This initiative seeks to alleviate the financial burden on renters, especially in a market with high move-in costs.

McKinnor emphasizes the financial strain on renters, stating, When we’re paying $6,000 to $8,000 to move in to rent an apartment, the landlords can provide the necessity of a stove and refrigerator. I think it’s fair. This perspective underscores the belief that basic appliances should be a standard offering, given the significant upfront expenses associated with renting in Los Angeles.

Navigating Exemptions and Amendments

The proposed bill has undergone revisions to address concerns from various stakeholders. Initially, the legislation included a clause stipulating that appliances must have been purchased within the last 10 years. However, this provision was removed following advocacy from landlord groups, who argued that it would lead to the unnecessary disposal of functional appliances.

Debra Carlton, representing the California Apartment Association, explained the rationale behind this change: That would have required owners to throw out and replace perfectly good refrigerators and stoves. Environmentally, that was not acceptable. The revised bill now focuses on ensuring that appliances are in good working order, capable of safely performing their intended functions.

moreover, the bill now includes exemptions for specific types of housing, such as single-room occupancy units, assisted living facilities, and permanent supportive housing, where communal kitchens are frequently enough provided.

The Argument for Essential Appliances

Tenant advocacy groups argue that refrigerators and stoves are not mere amenities but essential components of a habitable home. With rising food costs and increasing reliance on home cooking, the absence of these appliances can create significant financial hardship for renters.

Larry Gross, from the Coalition for Economic Survival, emphasizes the necessity of these appliances: These appliances are not amenities. Thay’re a necessary part of a home. Without them, it places additional financial strain on renters. This perspective highlights the importance of refrigerators and stoves in enabling tenants to maintain a basic standard of living.

Interestingly, even some landlord representatives find the lack of provided refrigerators in Los Angeles apartments to be unusual.Carlton remarked, Honestly, I’d never heard about it until the author claimed that she had people carting around refrigerators. The fact that a tenant would have to bring in a heavy refrigerator, up and down the corridors, you potentially would create challenges with damage to the walls.

The Tenant’s Perspective: A Fridge as a Must-Have

For many prospective tenants, the presence of a refrigerator is a non-negotiable factor in their apartment search. The inconvenience and expense of acquiring and installing a refrigerator can be a significant deterrent.

Fraser’s experience underscores this point. After encountering numerous apartments without refrigerators,her family made it a priority to find a unit that included one. Toward the end of our search, we specifically only looked for buildings where they said there was a refrigerator in the unit, she explained, highlighting the importance of this appliance in their decision-making process.