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Out of all the tenants I have currently... only one uses the garage to park.
Every other garage is filled... some to overflow with sports equipment, hobby things, kids toys, bikes, etc... how about 4 kayaks? Most here need the space more than a place to keep their car... mild weather, no snow, little rain...
Again... a one time cost is most insignificant... having to pay someone for a house call any day of the week is the problem...
Part of being a success as a Housing Provider means being aggressive to reduce problems and service calls are problems.
The other is my concern for safety which the new doors are better... but the better part as in sensors can also cause problems.
The rent on a home pales when service calls are factored...
If most people in your target market have not had a garage before, most won't even notice whether it has an opener or not. They might after a while but usually not up front. Actually, you can probably say the same for garages (they often don't appreciate the need for one). But if you have a larger family home for rent in a car oriented place with lots of newer homes, then of course it will be expected.
Garage doors and openers together form a pretty complex system that relies on many moving parts and needs to be aligned, balanced, lubricated, etc or it will fail. And there needs to be a lot of sensors and other safety related parts. Injuries from openers can be horrific and the industry recommends frequent inspections. Homeowners normally don't worry about this but if you're a landlord, it's wise to try to follow guidance or you could have liability issues. And, as mentioned, the remotes are lost, stop working due to interference batteries dying, etc. and you need to ensure that codes are changed when tenants change, etc.
Tenants are more likely to misuse things and sometimes ignore problem warning signs as long as things still work. And more injuries happen in rentals than non-rentals.
I'm not making a case for not having an opener as that's particular to what the market expects but just trying to help explain why a landlord may not want one if there isn't clear demand for one. You could argue that all machines in the home are complicated, need inspection and service, and could cause injury or damage. Yes, that's true but trying to exclude a clothes washer/dryer or a dishwasher doesn't work as well in the market. Kind of like a disposer (not sure if they are in fashion any longer) but they would jam, could be dangerous, subject to bad effects if misused, clog and cause clogs further along in pipes, etc. Might not be a big worry for a homeowner but they are bound to cause call-outs for a landlord. And most renters don't usually even notice if there is none.
It really sounds like a difference of expectations.
A 12x18 garage can rent for $400 to $600 a month and none have openers... just to easy to break into in San Francisco...
So how again is the garage not usable?
Wait, garages with openers are safer than ones without- because you have to have the opener to get into the garage.
I rented one home in college without an opener and NEVER parked in the garage- the landlord got a fine every month from the HOA because I was parked in the driveway, and she paid it knowing that I couldn't get into the garage. I swore i would never again rent from someone who couldn't provide basic convenience- no matter how nice the wood flooring or updated kitchen was.
They don't sell new homes without an opener, why would you rent one?
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Originally Posted by 3dogsnokids
Wait, garages with openers are safer than ones without- because you have to have the opener to get into the garage.
I rented one home in college without an opener and NEVER parked in the garage- the landlord got a fine every month from the HOA because I was parked in the driveway, and she paid it knowing that I couldn't get into the garage. I swore i would never again rent from someone who couldn't provide basic convenience- no matter how nice the wood flooring or updated kitchen was.
They don't sell new homes without an opener, why would you rent one?
Actually, for some bottom of the barrel builders, an opener is an option.
That helps them advertise price leader construction.
FWIW, if an amenity (such as a fence or garage opener) does not already exist when the property is acquired, a LL is not going to add it to an investment property. Simply because it is something that requires additional maintenance, additional repairs, additional hassle while bringing in very little, if any, additional income.
I'm truly curious, OP - How much additional per month would you pay for this exact home if it already had a garage opener?
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Oh the horror of having to get off of one's seat and, God forbid, manually open a garage door!
