We replaced the stove/oven in my moms place, but we had to. The old one arced, on two separate occasions, blowing out two different All-Clad pots and fusing the coil to the plug in location. Yes, the landlord reimbursed us.

Have you already asked your landlord for all or part reimbursement (or even permission)? If you plan on staying awhile, it might be worth it to pay half and leave them behind when you eventually move out. If you list all the benefits you mentioned above (plus throw in that they can raise the rent for future tenants for the newer appliances) they may be more than willing!

If you're renting and have kids, having a great w/d is worth its weight in gold! If you're planning on staying for a while, then I think it's money well spent. We had a space saver unit and replaced it with high efficiency machines. They're quieter, use much less water and soap and I spent a lot less time doing laundry. I got heavily discounted machines since they were floor models so that cost savings will more than make up for the cost it will be to have them moved in the future.

We also had an ancient White Westinghouse gas range with no seal to keep the oven heat in, nor a window for the oven. It was a nightmare. Our landlord was as cheap as they come and wouldn't buy a new one, so we got a new gas range off of Craigslist for $300.

There was an old washer when we moved into our rental house. It was barely functional and we eventually decided to get a new high efficiency washer and dryer. I think it can make sense if you are planning to stay in one place for a while.

First, ask your landlord or rental office whether it can change the appliances for you. If you live in a building, and everyone has these appliances, this probably won't work. But if you are in a house or there are some people in the building who pay as much as you and have better appliances, you have a good case for wanting an upgrade.

When the appliances in my rental unit went bad, I asked the landlord--that should always be the first step.

Have you thought about using smaller models? I've been looking at some small capacity washer/dryer sets that totaled to a lot less money (~$600 range), partially because the unit I'm moving into doesn't have a standard W/D hookup and these models don't need it.

Alternatively, would your landlord reimburse you at least part of the way? After all, it is a selling point to the next renter.

If you plan on staying long term, yes it is worth it. Personally, I like to do things my way, so I would tend to get the units first, then mention it to the landlord and see if they will pay half, or all. It usually works and sometimes it doesn't.

And you should be able to get both for $1k installed if you shop around. http://www.searsoutlet.com

Hey, AT editors, is it possible to get a tag for all the renters solutions posts? I'd love to be able to access all the related posts, but they don't seem to be linked thematically.

My landlord, when I was renting, replace anything that needed replacing but then again, I was with him for 18 years.
Do ask first...

My rental did not come with washer/dryer, but it did come with hookups (I could have rented the machines for $40/mon though). We have on-site laundry, but in another building. I figured out that it was cheaper for me to buy the machines than to rent (the rentable ones were top-loaders, so not as efficient and more prone to tearing of fabric) and I just wasn't comfortable going to another building in the complex hauling loads of laundry. Long-term benefits (cheaper bills, cheaper shopping in terms of detergent and clothes), outweighed the knowledge of hauling them to each move.

make sure you check consumer reports before you buy, at last i looked the best performing ones were half of what you think they could cost.

It all depends on how long you plan to be there and what you value being able to do with them. It sounds like, in the long run, new machines would save you time and money. But would the savings be worth the initial investment in cost?

What I like to keep in mind isn't just the fiscal savings but the amount of time saved by having better machines - no washing things multiple times is definitely a nice reason.

We were lucky enough to move into a place three years ago with basically new warrantied machines (and the warranty was nice when there was a seal leak, that was fixed fast and free to all). Honestly, other than the fence around the backyard and the location, our extremely nice w/d might be what I miss most about this house. We're going somewhere with 10-year-old top loaders, and I have to say it's something I'm nervous about.

Also, make sure you know how to have the old machines disposed properly. Some municipalities or trash services will take them, but not all do. Also, some retailers will take old machines when new ones are dropped off so they can be recycled or donated.

Perhaps it's different in other places, but here in Montreal (Quebec), you tend to lug appliances from one apt to another. For example, right now, we're carting around fridge, stove, washer, dryer, and portable dishwasher (which is not necessary, but is greatly appreciated).

If your landlord won't pay for replacements (or give you a discount on your rent, which may be more negotiable), it may be worth asking if he/she/they can take away the ones that come with your apartment and store them elsewhere, leaving you with space to buy your own (and keep for your next apartment/house)

That's a quandary. I would definitely tell the landlord, since W/D is an amenity you're paying for in your rent and machines that don't work are NOT an amenity. But if your landlord decides to replace them with terrible lowest-end units, you might've been better off buying your own replacements. Maybe offer to buy your own in return for a hefty discount on your lease? That $1500 is nothing to sneeze at.

@ROS - I don't think people in the U.S. typically carry their appliances around. In fact, one of the reasons many of us rent is that you don't have to supply your own appliances. Apartments may not have all of the appliances you want, obviously, but the basics (stove, microwave, refridgerator) are there.

I've done this TWICE. My little town has got tons of older apartment complexes going through renovations!

First- Talk to your management. Most places will replace old or broken appliances themselves. If they are planning on starting renovations or starting to replace older appliances they will be doing it at the end of leases- so you'd never even know if that was the plan unless you ask. If they are working on that, then you can be put on the front of the list or buy with your management's discount at whatever store they use, and just get reimbursed. If that is the case don't expect the W/D that YOU wanted! I worked in a complex for a few years, they tend to get low-middle to flat out low end stuff to save money.

Or you can ask them to remove the old W/D and talk to them about reduced rent if you want to keep them when you move out. That will save them the time and hassle of replacing them until you decide to move.

I definitely suggest buying your own appliances! And one more plus- if you plan on moving to anther apartment you can talk to your new management and get a seriously discounted rate for bringing your own stuff. We have gotten almost $200 off a month just for having our own fridge. And when we moved into our little house, we already had our fridge, and didn't need to run out and add that to the (large and expensive) list of things we now needed to fix the house to our liking.

I second that request AT - can you make a way we can access all of the renters solutions posts? I'd love that!

I had no washer and dryer in my rental so had no choice - but I'm glad that I bought the ones I did. I bought a lower-end top load white high efficiency washer and dryer, I think I paid around $800 for both at most - and my clothes are cleaner than ever! Years of using a bad rental w&D (former apartment) ... I had no idea! My electric bill didn't go up, and my water bill is reasonable. So you can get them for less.

My washing machine (I guess I got it on sale):
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=202511288&R=202511288

Moving it will be a pain, but I think it's worth it if you pay for water.

I say use the laundromat once every couple weeks, and separate all your clothes by color, that way you can do as may washes at once as you need to. Saves time overall vs. doing each wash one after the other. Also, add TSP to your laundry detergent, the clothes will be way cleaner if you add phosphates back in - ditto for dish washer. Actually I've never had a dishwasher, I just do it by hand. And really if you can put up a clothes line you don't need a dryer either. buy a thermometer to put in the fridge and freezer, if they are still cold enough you don't need a new one, and if it isn't consider it might just need the refridgerant recharged or a new seal around the door. Consider the landlord could cover the cost of a repair man maintaining the appliances that were supplied.

We haven't replaced items in rentals because we move too often for it to pay off. We move every 2-3 years. Typically, we try to find places with appliances we don't hate. You never know what you'll get until you actually live in the units, but being a little picky has paid off for us. And, most places we've lived, the landlord fixes things when they are broken, especially in the loft we are in now. With as much as we pay to live in downtown San Diego, it's only fair that they come fix things when they break! :)

Wanted to add that I intentionally skipped buying a front loading washer because I read that they're overrated and prone to mildew. Really love the top loader I bought.

Hey Lee Watkins, we'll have you and people like you to thank when rivers and lakes choke with algae and become dry land. Yay phosphates!

Our refrigerator worked, but not well so I asked our landlord if I could find a good scratch-and-dent stainless model to replace it. I offered to pay for it up front and subtract the total out of our rental payment over the course of three months. He agreed. Now we have a great new fridge. It never hurts to ask.

Where you live is your home. Life is short and youth fleeting. Live well wherever you are. It's only money. You can get more money, but you will never get that time back..

When you move out you may be able to discuss the landlord telling future renters that the units are for sale. My sister bought and sold a washer and dryer that way.

I've discussed it with my landlord before- I have a cheap top loader that tears and stains my clothes, and I absolutely hate it. He won't pay but says I'm welcome to replace it and put his in the basement. If I had the money lying around then I'd replace it in a heartbeat :).

I bought a fancy w/d set from a neighboring house (estate sale) in Boston for $150. And then resold it for $200 when I moved out of the apartment. Despite the fact that few people have cars in the city--everyone who inquired was more than happy to rent a truck to pick them up. I have to say it was the first time in my adult life I lived with a w/d and it spoiled me. Cannot imagine spending time at the laundromat ever again...

We replaced a small apartment sized gas stove in our rental. We found a gently used one for $50 on craigslist and it was worth every cent. When we moved in the stove was really old and you had to light it with a lighter. This was not going to work for me as I cook way too much. After speaking with the landlord, we agreed we would get the stove if he paid to get it put it. It made the kitchen a much nicer place to cook and it worked out for everyone. We got a nice stove, and my landlord didn't really have to deal with it.

I've replaced several appliances in my apartment, 3 wall air conditioners, the dishwasher and a gas cooktop, all bargains from Craigslist and Ebay. I gave the old ones back to the landlord who will reinstall them after I leave. I have my own refrigerator and washer/dryer that come with me.

We had W/D hookups in our apartment when we moved in, but no actual washer or dryer. We were making trips to the laundromat to get the laundry done, but seeing as a (brutal) Boston winter was imminent, I insisted that we buy the washer and dryer. We calculated that compared with the money we were spending in the laundromat, the W/D (bought new) would pay for itself within 2.5-3 years. But of course, having the convenience of doing laundry at home is priceless. I don't regret that decision at all.

By the way, if you can, wait for appliance sales (they tend to happen on Thanksgiving and Memorial Day weekends). You can save several hundred dollars that way.

We also had hookups when moving into our apartment two years ago and decided to purchase a new washer and dryer. We shopped around and ended up getting the set from Best Buy where they have a 18 month no-interest credit card that we put the whole purchase on. After about 16 months, it was all paid off so no interest was paid.