Philadelphia has a big rental market and a lot of move-in days that pile up at once, especially around the academic calendar near Penn, Drexel, Temple, La Salle and Saint Joseph's. Whether you're a student taking over a converted twin in University City, a young professional in a Center City high-rise, or a family renting a rowhouse, the appliances that come with the unit are part of what you're paying for. Testing them on day one protects you, and it makes the landlord's job easier, because a problem reported in the first week isn't confused with damage you caused.
Set aside about an hour before you unpack the kitchen. You'll need your phone for photos, a cheap appliance thermometer and a glass of water.
Before you test anything
- Read the lease section on appliances. Note which appliances are listed as provided and how the lease says repair requests should be made.
- Find the shutoffs. Locate the main water shutoff, the valves behind the washer and under the sink, and the breaker panel. In older rowhouses the panel is usually in the basement; in high-rises it's often in a closet by the entry.
- Know where the gas shutoff is if the unit has a gas range or dryer, and ask the landlord to show you. If you ever smell gas, leave first and call PGW or 911 from outside.
- Photograph everything first. Take wide shots, then close-ups of dents, cracked shelves, rust and missing knobs, before you use anything.
The move-in test sheet
| Appliance | Test | Normal | Write it up if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | Thermometer in water on a middle shelf; check again the next morning | 40°F or below in the fridge, freezer near 0°F | Warm, iced-over back wall, loud buzzing, torn gasket, water under the crisper drawers |
| Ice maker and dispenser | Confirm the supply is on; wait a day for the first batch | Ice within about a day; dispenser runs clear | No ice after a day, leaks behind the fridge |
| Range burners | Light each burner on high and low | Gas: steady blue flame, lights within a few clicks. Electric: every element glows | Yellow or lifting flames, constant clicking, dead element, gas odor |
| Oven | Preheat to 350°F with an oven thermometer inside | Reaches temperature in a reasonable time and holds close to it | Won't heat, way off temperature, door won't close tight |
| Range anti-tip bracket | Look at the floor behind the rear foot, or ask the landlord | Bracket present and engaged | Range tips forward when you press gently on the open door |
| Dishwasher | Run a short cycle empty | Fills, drains completely, no puddle | Standing water in the bottom, leaks at the door, error lights |
| Microwave | Heat a cup of water for one minute | Water is hot; light and turntable work | Sparks, burning smell, cracked door glass, water barely warm |
| Washer | Run a rinse-and-spin cycle | Fills, drains and spins without walking | Leaks, banging, won't drain, rubber door seal moldy or torn |
| Dryer | Run a timed dry with a damp towel; check the outside vent | Warm air from the vent, lint screen intact | No heat, weak airflow outside, vinyl duct, crushed vent behind the machine |
Building-specific things to note
Rowhouses and twins
Older houses converted into apartments often have the laundry in a shared basement. Check the dryer vent run and make sure the lint screen is actually there. Look at the outlet behind the range and dryer, and mention any scorched or loose outlets right away. In kitchens with older two-prong outlets, avoid plugging a microwave or toaster oven into an adapter and ask the landlord about it.
High-rises and mid-rises
Many buildings handle in-unit appliance repairs through the management office. Find out whether you call management or are allowed to schedule your own technician, and whether the building requires a freight elevator reservation or contractor paperwork for any service visit.
New construction
Second-floor laundry closets are common. Look for a drain pan under the washer and a water sensor nearby, and ask the landlord if there isn't one. A leak there shows up on the ceiling below, and you want it documented that the setup was this way when you arrived.
Report it the right way
Send problems to the landlord or property manager in writing, with photos and the date, even if you've also mentioned them in person. Keep a copy. Then check each appliance's model number against recall databases; the recall lookup checklist walks you through it. If you've signed a lease on a whole house, the home inspection appliance checklist covers similar ground in more depth.
For landlords and property managers
A quick appliance check between tenants is far cheaper than an emergency call in the first week of a lease. We work with landlords, property managers and condo boards on turnover inspections and repairs, always diagnosing first and providing a written estimate before any work. Learn more on our residential service page.
When to call: tenants should go through the landlord first, since most leases make appliance repair their responsibility. Anything involving a gas smell, sparks or burning odors means stop using it and report it right away, rather than waiting to see if it happens again.