As a serial renter (I’ve been renting apartments, duplexes and houses since I started college in 2003), I feel like nearly every place I’ve lived in has something that makes me go hmmm.
- Who would ever paint a wall that color (and why won’t they let me paint over it if I promise to paint it back)?
- Why does the washing machine have to hook up to the kitchen sink to work? (Seriously!)
- Isn’t it time to replace the dishwasher that never seems to clean anything?
Well, my friends, the home we just moved into is no different. It’s definitely the nicest place I’ve ever rented (yay!), but there are three big things that make me go hmmm.
1. The color of the walls in the guest room.
Pretty sure this one doesn’t need an explanation. 
2. This random ledge with a gas hookup.
The homeowners had a decorative little stove thingy hooked up there that we thought they’d be leaving when they moved out, but they took it and we’re left with a totally random elevated ledge with a gas hookup. Any recommendations as to what we should put there?
3. Absentee washer and dryer.
I’m really heated about this one, but I’ll keep my venting limited on the blog otherwise I might start dropping f-bombs.
When Ryan and I toured the house, there was a washer and dryer in the laundry room. No where in the advertisement for the house did it say “no washer and dryer” or “washer and dryer hookup.” No where. Our lease didn’t say that the tenants were responsible for providing their own washer and dryer and we didn’t know that this would be our responsibility until Ryan picked up with keys to the place (after we submitted our deposit!) on Friday.
I was ready to send a flaming bag of Sadie’s doodie to our realtor when, after calling him to ask what the heck was going on, he said “a washer and dryer is a ‘furnishing’ not an ‘appliance’” and they didn’t have to disclose that they would be taking the washer and dryer to us.
Um, what? Pretty sure that a washer/dryer does not equal a couch, sir.
And on that note, let’s move along to lunch… also known as something I prepared using an “appliance” not a “furnishing.” (Can you sense the bitterness? 
)
Lunch
Today’s lunch was a delicious chocolate peanut butter smoothie… with a touch of almond flavah!
In the mix:
- 1 c. almond milk
- 1 scoop Optimum Nutrition chocolate casein protein powder (casein = extra thick!)
- 1 c. frozen strawberries
- 1 1/2 tbsp. cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp. peanut butter
- 1 tsp. almond extract
- 1 large handful fresh spinach
Enjoyed with a spoon out of my favorite Anthropologie mug.
I have a feeling I’m going to be blending up another smoothie around 4 p.m. to fuel me through our big move this evening. Watch out, furniture! I’m going to own you!
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Realtor fail!!!!! The cost of a washer/dryer should come out of his/her fee…period. Check the verbiage….what you see should be what you get. Period. Weird stove included. You should also try to renegotiate rent since you thought this was part of it…that’s a big deal to me.
I would totally go with something along the lines of a wet bar. I love how emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere did hers (seen here) http://cupcakesandcashmere.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/at3.jpg
Maybe you could put a mirror above it. What room is it in?
Dog poo bomb is the way to go…I won’t tell.
PRE-TTY sure your realtor is just saying that to cover his butt. Seriously, so so horrible.
Write a Yelp review about it or something to warn other people that he didn’t do a good job!!
I say go with the blue! You could totally make it a guest room with a fun, underwater theme.
Also, check out nolo.com. They have lots of great legal advice, espcially for renters. Might find something there, especially since it was there when you did the walk through. When you are selling a home (at least in CA) if it’s attached to the walls or there at walk through, it’s the buyers unless the contract specifies it’s not. At least then you will know your rights and decide whether to bring it up again. Given the trouble you had finding a place, if you don’t want to move again in a few weeks, it might not be worth it.
Wow I would be so pissed/disappointed as well! I don’t blame you at all! That is something that someone should be informed prior to moving into/paying for a home.
Ugh I’m sorry that is so ridiculous!! I would NEVER consider w/d furnishings…so lame! Are you guys going to buy them or find a laundromat?? Maybe you’ll get a good deal for labor day weekend at least. Good luck with all the unpacking!!
Your smoothies always look like pudding! Truly amazing. Mine look like slurpees :/
Oh my gosh, I’d be so soooo mad if I got there and there was no washer/dryer!!
Call a lawyer. Seriously something doesn’t seem legally right with this.
Then you can just buy the house and hire someone to paint a room that doesn’t look like Grover from the muppets.
I actually love the color.
As for the washer and dryer I would buy a nice set that you can take wherever your travels may lead you.
And for the ledge, a nice oversized vase and before you know it you will forget the gas hookup!
i went to law school and we had a help line that helped undergrads with legal questions, you should see if your college has one that you can tap into has an alum. a washer and dryer listed as furnishing doesn’t make sense.
Our COIN washer and drying is right below our apartment unit…it would be nice if it was FREE!
Here’s a doozy for you: I just moved into an old gorgeous rent house. And didnt see this before–but the bathroom has NO outlet. not one.
Sorry, maybe it’s not funny to you right now, but I found it humorous that you were “heated” about the dryer. Maybe you made an unintentional pun, but it was still funny to me. I agree about buying one from Craigslist and selling them if you don’t want to take them with you when you move.
Um, if the washer and dryer aren’t appliances why are they in the appliance section of deparment/hardware stores. Seriously, I would want the clear definition on that one.
I like the blue walls. Not sure I’d have the balls to paint a room in my place that color. But I do like it!
That is awful! I could deal with the blue room & the empty ‘stage’ where the stove was, but to take the washer & dryer…then call them furnishings??? That is ridiculous! I sure hope there’s some sort of recourse for you…. Keep us informed! 😉
That really stinks. I would not considered that furniture either.
When we bought our house (brand new construction) we negotiated appliances (fridge, washer and dryer). They already put in the stove, microwave and dishwasher. They came back with an offer that included a slightly used washer and dryer. Instead of asking to see them, we took the offer. When we saw the washer and dryer I about had a heart attack. They are definitely from the 70s and are more then slightly used.
They work pretty well but I’m not sure how long they will last. So lesson to you if you buy a home; request to see everything first!!!
The ledge is a perfect spot for a queen dog bed for Sadie! She needs to overlook her palace 🙂
I would be super heated about the washer/dryer! Do you go to Lowes to buy it or Ethan Allen? Lowes=appliance!
When you’re renting an apartment/house in Germany, you will have NOTHING included (no appliances, furniture, sometimes no carpets or wallpaper) – when I moved out of my apartment in Germany, I had to take out all the carpets and remove ALL the wallpaper, even from the ceilings!!! Just thought you should know 😉
I would put a Christmas tree there..OR build a nice supermarket-esque display stack!! Some possible items to stack are: beer, soup, peanut butter, cereal or other boxed goods 🙂 though I’m not sure how long the stack will last with Sadie around. Maybe a fish tank or popcorn machine!
Yeah I understand a washer is one of the most important things in an apartment, will you be buying one then?
I have rented a lot and from realtors in FL. Unfortunatly I had a few bad experiences. You have to be so careful because some will lie or not tell the whole truth just to make the sale. Some owners seem to want to do the least possible as well. Now I make sure every little thing is in writing and added to the lease. I also do my own research.
Are you going through the realtor when you lets say have a repair or other problem? If so I would ask to speak direct to the owner. I have had better luck going that route. Often the owner will come around but going through another party something often gets lost. The realtor should give you the number and if not you could put it in writing to the owner or look up their number is possible.
Good luck.
I just recently heard of removable wallpaper that was created with renters in mind. I’m not a fan of wallpaper in general but even if it was in a neutral tone it could even out the walls!
Awee so sorry to hear about the washer and dryer 🙁
As for the bedroom, my mom’s friend has a “major blue” room as well. She used a white puffy down comforter on the bed, decorated with white simple accessories and gave the room a really clean look! It looks great!
Also, no bodypump in Ocala? No problem :). By the looks of that gas hookup ledge you have a stage right in your home! If you start teaching classes in your house I might just have to make a trip! 🙂
I’m sure you’ll make the best out of the rental dilemmas 🙂 I saw the pictures of the rest of the place, it looks beautiful! All the best 🙂
I just moved into my new place, and the previous tenants neglected to mention to the landlord that the hot water in the shower is broken! Lovely! After moving all day yesterday, I was totally looking forward to my super-fast rinse in freezing cold water as the temps dropped into the 50s last night. Sweet!
Sorry to hear about that sitch. I’ve heard of places where you can just rent washers/dryers. Might be worth investigating? Good luck!!!
You should do a blog post all about renting after this house…here is a good post I came across awhile ago:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/getting-back-your-security-deposit-154171
Girl, I feel ya on the moving and renting. I’ve moved and rented out 4 different places since college in 5 yrs. The place I’m at now is the best. Oh, and it came with a washer and dryer. If I lived close to you, I would soooo give you my old one. They are in my garage just taking up space. But, I’m all the way in TN. Anyways, I guess I’m crazy, cause I like the wall color,haha. However, I don’t know what you should put on the step thing. I guess the owners took the gas heater with them. Good luck on being creative!
This is what I hate about renting!! I actually got a job back in my home town after I graduated so I’m living at home while I save money to buy a house! I have sworn off renting and am thankful that my parents’ love me enough to let me move back in!
I hope that you otherwise love your new digs! Can’t wait to see what you do to really make it “home”! 🙂
I actually like the blue room…it’s so different and relaxing! It would look really good with a white bedspread and curtains, different shades of blue for accents, and peaceful art work.
Totally sucks about the washer and dryer. I recently bought a new washer online and got a fantastic deal. I would research that Realtor like everyone else said, and double check the renters rights in your area. For future notice.
I just finished a real estate licensing class (in FL!) and there was an EXACT example about your washer/dryer situation in class one day. It definitely sucks but just part of the law 🙁 Hopefully you can find a used set on the cheap… I see them on craigslist all the time for around $150! Oh and about the ledge… lol… maybe put Sadie’s toy box there? It could be her regal toy throne!
You can do SO much with the ledge! Decorative, an elevated bed for Sadie, put a tallboy dresser on it with photos or a mirror on top. or a smaller dresser type unit and use it as a bar!?
As for the blue, paint it, do a colour match to the colour before you do, and save the swatch, and when you move out you can repaint it back.
Are you renting from people who own the house who just moved out and are keeping it as a rental with the intent to move back one day?? It almost seems that way… I can’t see how any rental company wants that Blue… and how a tenant took a washer/dryer unless they previously owned it.
Good luck, and as a previous poster said… Sadie makes the post!
I haven’t read any of the other responses because there are so many haha but I work for an MLS in FL. I am going to look into it because that doesn’t sound right. That is NOT a furnishing, it is an appliance.
If you want email me and I’ll ask my compliance partner!
Thank you so much for the smoothie recipes. I make smoothies at work and at home and I’m always looking for more ideas! I also like all of your healthy recipes. I look forward to putting my own spin on these and giving them a try and sharing the results with my readers!
Thanks!!!!!
I get all the renter comments but people did you not see CHOCOLATE SMOOTHIE??!!! OH MY!!! I totally plan to re-adapt that as vegan and use carob powder. Would it work if heated in the microwave as a wintry hot chocolate?
Good Lord that smoothie looks like PUDDING! :drool: