Renter's guide to appliance replacement: Who's responsible and how to handle it
Most renters assume appliance replacement is the landlord's responsibility, but that isn't always the case. Learn how to determine who's responsible, what common appliance replacements cost, and what financing options may be available when you’re responsible.
Key takeaways
Check the lease first. Whether an appliance is covered often comes down to what's written in your rental agreement.
Replacement costs add up fast. A refrigerator, washer, or range can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to replace unexpectedly.
Pay the expense over time. If paying upfront isn't realistic, Snap’s lease-to-own financing may help cover the cost of an appliance purchase over time.
Step 1: Consult your lease. Step 2: Be prepared if responsibility falls on you. Here’s how.
Renting – both as tenant and landlord – is a reality for millions of Americans today. To be precise, more than one-third of U.S. households rent their homes, with roughly 42.5 million renter households nationwide.
While many of the tenants that occupy these households assume that a broken appliance falls on the to-do list of the landlord, that isn’t always the case. In fact, this is the case often enough – and can be stressful enough – to know what to do if the responsibility falls to you, the tenant.
A faulty refrigerator, washer, or range can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to replace, becoming a hefty, unexpected cost. According to the Snap Finance 2026 Outlook Study, 39% of consumers with lower credit scores lacked confidence in their ability to cover a $300 unexpected expense. And when emergency funds can’t cover it, traditional financing can be hard to come by for those with less-than-perfect credit. Snap Finance research found that 78% of consumers with credit scores below 670 have been turned down for traditional financing.
When a broken appliance is yours to fix, Snap Finance’s lease-to-own financing can help you get the replacement you need today without paying for it all upfront or needing perfect credit.1 Below, learn when appliance replacement is a tenant’s responsibility, what it typically costs, and how to pay over time when a lump sum isn’t realistic.
When the tenant is responsible for appliance replacement
When the appliance isn't in the lease
Step one in confirming who is responsible for replacing a broken appliance is consulting the lease agreement.
If an appliance is not listed as part of the rental property, the landlord typically has no obligation to repair or replace it. This often applies to appliances that tenants bring themselves, such as a washer and dryer set, a standalone freezer, a portable dishwasher, or a window air conditioner.
If you purchased it, it's generally your responsibility to maintain or replace it when it stops working.
When the lease lists appliances as "as-is"
Some leases include appliances but specifically state that they are provided "as-is."
This language can limit or remove the landlord's responsibility to maintain or replace it. Whether those provisions are enforceable depends on state and local laws, so it's worth reviewing your lease carefully and checking tenant protections in your area.
The key takeaway is not to assume coverage simply because the appliance came with the unit.
When the damage is caused by the tenant
Even when an appliance is clearly covered by the lease, damage caused by misuse is usually the tenant's responsibility.
Examples might include overloading a washing machine, damaging a refrigerator door, failing to perform required maintenance, or improperly installing an appliance. If the landlord determines that the damage resulted from tenant actions rather than normal wear and tear, the repair or replacement cost may become the tenant's responsibility.
When you want to upgrade what the landlord provides
If the landlord is responsible for replacing a broken appliance, they’re generally required to provide a functional, comparable alternative – not necessarily a new or higher-quality model.
If a tenant wants a larger refrigerator, a higher-end range, an in-unit washer and dryer that isn’t shared, or any upgrade beyond what the property provides, that becomes a personal purchase rather than a landlord obligation.
When the landlord is covered but the timeline doesn't work
Even when the landlord is responsible, repairs don't always happen immediately.
A broken refrigerator is often considered urgent. A broken dishwasher may not be. Depending on the issue, it could take days or even weeks for a replacement to arrive.
For some households, waiting isn't practical. A family without laundry access may decide it's worth purchasing a washer and dryer rather than making repeated trips to a laundromat. In those cases, a tenant may choose to solve the problem independently even though the landlord is ultimately responsible for replacement.
What appliance replacement typically costs
Refrigerator: $600 – $2,300
While basic refrigerators can sometimes be found for less, many renters find the best balance of reliability, energy efficiency, and longevity in the mid-range category.
It's also important to remember that the sticker price isn't always the final price. Delivery, installation, and haul-away services can add another couple hundred dollars to the total.
Washer and dryer: $1,000 – $2,300 for a set
A dependable washer and dryer set can easily approach four figures.
Stackable units often cost slightly more but can be a practical solution for apartments with limited space. For renters planning to stay put for several years, having laundry in the unit can provide meaningful convenience and savings over time.
Range or cooktop: $400 – $1,300
Freestanding electric ranges tend to be the most common and least expensive replacement option.
If you're replacing a gas range, be sure to verify your existing hookups and dimensions before ordering. Installation requirements can vary depending on the unit.
Window or portable AC: $200 – $600
Compared to replacing central systems, window and portable air conditioners are much less expensive.
Choosing the correct size matters. A unit that's too small may struggle to cool the space, while an oversized unit can waste energy and increase utility costs.
The real cost of going without a washer
Sometimes the cost of replacement isn't the only expense worth considering.
A household that spends $15 – $30 per laundromat visit and does laundry once or twice each week can easily spend $60 – $120 per month. Over time, those costs add up.
Before deciding to postpone a purchase, it can be worth comparing those ongoing expenses against the cost of owning your own appliance.
Financing options when cash isn't available
Pay cash if the reserve exists
If you have an emergency fund and can comfortably cover the expense without creating additional financial stress, paying cash is usually the least expensive option.
Unexpected broken appliances are one of the main reasons emergency savings exist. For renters working toward that goal, check out our 5-step budgeting framework for renters.
Store financing or credit card
For renters with fair-to-good credit, store financing can be a useful option.
Many retailers offer promotional financing periods that allow qualified customers to pay no interest for a set period. These offers can work well if the balance is paid before the promotional period expires.
The key is understanding what happens after that period ends. Carrying a balance at standard interest rates can increase the overall cost substantially.
Lease-to-own financing
Some renters may not qualify for traditional financing or may not have sufficient available credit. For those instances, Snap Finance offers lease-to-own financing that does not require a credit history or perfect credit to apply.1
With approval amounts up to $5,000 in lease-to-own financing and payment schedules that can align with your pay cycle – whether that's weekly, biweekly, or monthly – you may cover eligible appliance purchases while paying over time.
How to use Snap’s lease-to-own financing for an appliance
1. Apply before you shop
Applying for Snap Finance takes only a few minutes and submitting an application does not affect your FICO score.1
Knowing your approved amount before shopping can make it easier to compare options and stay within budget.
2. Find a participating retailer
Snap Finance is accepted at thousands of appliance retailers across the country, including both national chains and local independent stores. Find participating retailers using Snap’s Store Locator.
Before purchasing, it's worth confirming delivery availability and installation options, especially if you're replacing an essential appliance. Delivery and installation costs may not be included in your lease.
3. Roll in delivery and installation
In some situations, delivery and basic installation costs may be included in the lease amount. Restrictions apply, so it's best to ask the retailer before completing the transaction.
4. Path to ownership
At the end of the lease term, ownership transfers to you when you complete the terms of the lease.
If you decide early ownership is for you [ADD LINK TO EARLY BUYOUT OPTIONS BLOG], Snap offers early buyout options that may reduce your overall lease costs.3 If you're able to buy out your lease before the end of the agreement – ideally within the Initial Promotional Period – you can become the owner sooner and potentially save money in the process.3
Buying on a renter's budget
Base the size off the household, not the space
The right appliance depends on your lifestyle. For example, a compact refrigerator may work perfectly for one person, while a larger family may need significantly more storage capacity.
Buying based on household needs can help avoid unnecessary spending, such as extra grocery trips for too-small of a selection or extra utility costs for wasted energy on too-large of a pick.
Consider Energy Star-certified appliances to cut ongoing costs
For renters who pay their own utility bills, efficiency of your appliances matters.
An Energy Star-certified appliance may cost more upfront but can reduce energy consumption over time. Those savings can add up over several years of use and over the course of your lease.
Focus on one appliance at a time
When multiple things break at once, it's tempting to replace everything immediately. But multiple financing agreements and other financial obligations can quickly add up in both cost and mental load.
In most cases, it's better to prioritize the most urgent need first. Address the appliance creating the biggest disruption, then reassess future purchases once the budget allows.
Plan for the move
Unlike built-in fixtures, tenant-owned appliances usually move with you.
If you expect to relocate in the near future, portability should factor into your decision. Consider compact and stackable models that are often easier and less expensive to transport than full-size models.
Calling all renters…
Check your lease. Be sure to confirm whether appliance replacements fall to you or the landlord. In most cases it’s the latter, but when it’s not, be prepared with Snap Finance’s lease-to-own financing that can get you the replacement you need without an upfront lump sum or perfect credit.1
Ready to replace? Find a retailer near you that accepts Snap Finance. Before you shop, consider applying for Snap first.
The advertised service is a lease-to-own agreement provided by Snap RTO LLC. Lease-to-own financing is not available to residents of Minnesota, New Jersey, and Wisconsin.
1 Not all applicants are approved. No credit history is required. Snap obtains information from consumer reporting agencies in connection with your application; this does not impact your FICO® Score, though other credit scores may be affected.
2 Approval amounts vary from $300 to $5,000, subject to underwriting, and apply only to the cash price of leased items.
3 The Maximum-Term Plan includes 12–18 month renewable terms and is your highest-cost option. To exercise an early ownership option, including any early buyout promotions, you must make all required payments on time and satisfy the required amount within the applicable timeframe through the customer portal or by contacting Customer Care at 1-877-557-3769. Early buyout promotions may include a cost of lease above the merchandise price. For details and limitations, refer to your lease agreement. See lease agreement for terms, details, and limitations.