05-20-2015, 09:42 AM
Renting water heaters seems to be a triumph of marketing over common sense. It's also regional. The vast majority of water heaters in Ontario are rented but almost none are in Alberta.
TorStar's Ellen Roseman has been railing against rental water heaters for many years. Her condemnation includes everything from excessive fees (rental and removal), the difficulties of terminating contracts, as well as shady, high-pressure sales practices.
See e.g.
Water heater wars raged for 15 years: Roseman
Why I’m always writing about water heaters
If I was buying a new house or condo I'd make the deal contingent on there not being a rental water heater (or any other rented appliance) installed. Instead I'd buy a water heater and have it delivered to the job site for installation by the builder's crew. (I don't know how receptive they'd be, but I'd try hard.)
If it's a resale property, I'd make it the seller's problem to deal with the rental, i.e. by buying out the contract. Then if it's an older unit I'd buy a new one after moving in.
TorStar's Ellen Roseman has been railing against rental water heaters for many years. Her condemnation includes everything from excessive fees (rental and removal), the difficulties of terminating contracts, as well as shady, high-pressure sales practices.
See e.g.
Water heater wars raged for 15 years: Roseman
Why I’m always writing about water heaters
If I was buying a new house or condo I'd make the deal contingent on there not being a rental water heater (or any other rented appliance) installed. Instead I'd buy a water heater and have it delivered to the job site for installation by the builder's crew. (I don't know how receptive they'd be, but I'd try hard.)
If it's a resale property, I'd make it the seller's problem to deal with the rental, i.e. by buying out the contract. Then if it's an older unit I'd buy a new one after moving in.