Hello Fellow Landlords

Opions & recommendations on ceiling fans would be appreciated.

I currently have reversable 3 speed fans with light attachment.

I personally like ceiling fans as do most of my renters.

Some time ago I had a number of lower income renters who had help from Section 8. THe best way I could get cooperation from the renter about the annual inspections and the things the renter was to do was to give a "reward" when the house passed. The reward almost always was a ceiling fan. I would let the renter choose one room from the ones I suggested. That helped get the renter to clean up the house, etc.

My goal was to have the house pass the first time the Section 8 inspector came. One renter that usually was very difficult actually helped take care of her part of things and the unit passed the inspection. As the inspector walked out of the door the renter immediately asked when she would get her ceiling fan.

I think the renters rarely used the fan part of things. It seemed to be more a decorative light for them.

When I had student renters they also liked the fans.

I personally don't care for air conditioning and even when I was living somewhere where it was available I rarely ever used it. However, I did like to have a ceiling fan which I would put on the very lowest setting when it got really hot out.

I personally like ceiling fans as do most of my renters.

Some time ago I had a number of lower income renters who had help from Section 8. THe best way I could get cooperation from the renter about the annual inspections and the things the renter was to do was to give a "reward" when the house passed. The reward almost always was a ceiling fan. I would let the renter choose one room from the ones I suggested. That helped get the renter to clean up the house, etc.

My goal was to have the house pass the first time the Section 8 inspector came. One renter that usually was very difficult actually helped take care of her part of things and the unit passed the inspection. As the inspector walked out of the door the renter immediately asked when she would get her ceiling fan.

I think the renters rarely used the fan part of things. It seemed to be more a decorative light for them.

When I had student renters they also liked the fans.

I personally don't care for air conditioning and even when I was living somewhere where it was available I rarely ever used it. However, I did like to have a ceiling fan which I would put on the very lowest setting when it got really hot out.

The really cheap ones are too noisy. They seem to last just as long as the good ones, but they aren't pleasant to live with. You don't want to buy top of the line expensive fans, but pay more than $21.

I second the recommendation to get fans that use a standard light bulb and that can have the bulb changed without removing the shade.

Darker colors show the dirt less. Be prepared to clean the fan at move-out because even the very best tenants don't clean the fan.

I also still use them. Mostly Hampton Bay now. Which is just as good as any. Used to be Hunter was worth the extra money. But the quality has dropped.

Tenants still like them. May save some on AC bill.

Rare. But over the years I have had a few problems where they abuse the pull chain switches. And then tenants cleaning them hard. Bending the blades a little so it wobbles.

So all our install have wall control switches for the light and the fan. A simple permenate fix that cuts down on maintainance.

Hard to prove tenants bent blades and caused a wobbling fan.

So lease states if one is installed it will be replaced with a regular light fixture if it needs to be replaced.

But since started that policy 15 years ago have not had that problem for some reason

House brand from Home Depot, make sure they use standard sized light bulb base.

I have five Hampton Bay in my "great room" and kitchen that are on nearly all day, for 7 months a year. And the bedroom on all night all year. 4 years with no failures. Knock on wood.

I've used both Hunter and Hampton Bay, initially when I could find them on sale or clearance. In fact ... I have even purchased used Casablancas for $10-$20 each.

My husband is going to the homes tomorrow.

The fans are 15+ years old.

They are Hamptons if my memory is correct.

The house needs the fans as East San Diego County gets hot.

Electricity is outrageous so the fans help keep the house cooler without depending on the AC so much.

We figured since both units are vacant now is the ideal time to replace older items while we are doing repairs & cosmetic surgery.

I kind the idea of a wall control instead of pull chains.

I'll see if husband will do that.

I found a site online that compared different fans.

But darn it, I don't know what I did with the site.

I currently have fans with attached light kit.

I wonder if they are salvageable & would work on a new fan?

The new fan light kits seem to require the tiny bases (candelabra) and I have regular/medium base fixtures.

I changed them out years ago because I don't like the single enclosed globe.

PIA to clean & don't provide enough light.

I made a big mistake installing fixtures that require specialty bulbs.

Renters don't know how to change them or want to.

So want to stay with standard fixtures, easy to replace & purchase.

LOTS of really good suggestions and tips.

Thank you all for your input.

I also used to use them in all my "c" properties for the wow factor ... everyone loved them. Me ... not so much any more.

filthy.

must have ones where the globe does not need removed to replace the bulbs.

Balloons and party streamers will kill it quickly as will kids tossing stuff onto it.

Some of the newer models require a remote control ... guess what will be missing when they move out.

Yes, you can charge for all that but getting a new remote, cleaning, replacing the globes/light shield, etc., adds up quickly and if they have that damage on one light fixture, think what the rest of your place looks like.

4/3/19 installed a Hunter Rockport with lite kit - may have been a Hampton Bay.

Blades were easy to install. Unit went together well

Over the years I have installed several ceiling fans this was was one of the easiest fans to assembly and install.

TIP - To hang the fan I put in a study metal ceiling box attached to a 2x4 between the ceiling joist. And I level the metal box. Only problem is attic access is required to install the 2x4 between the ceiling joist.

A little extra, but some fans I have replaced was hanging on by a thread.

Last one I used was a Hampton Bay. Search on Home Depot

300654345

89.00 and pretty decent. Also has the open light kit with that can use regular bulbs. Comes with regular base LED bulbs

Really liked the quick attach blades so quicker to install.

yes missing or burnt out. as long as there's something in the fixture that works-- no problem. Danno-- actually we offer that if they just leave them in a package on the counter that is good for us.

U would not believe how many won't even do that-- but we document that-- we offered. Nothing better than showing the judge-- and saying-- your honor all they had to do was leave replacements and they couldn't do that-- winner winner chicken dinner.

myob - I get that. BUT - four fans at $25 is $100. $15 per light bulb? I'm not one for worrying about "what if" in court but that would NEVER fly, even in my landlord friendly area. But okay. Those four fans have just 3 lights each - and two are burned out on every fixture. That's $120. Ceiling lights now have $220 off the $750 security deposit already. What about any actual damages, missing rent, real cleaning. You are way over your security deposit.

I do not live in your area where garnishments are a collection stream. They are not cheap, quick or easy here. I would rather minimize the monies owed me as collecting is tough. You have said one time about blanketing xx banks to garnish someone. I forget what it cost you but it would have run well over $1000 for those costs here. Your interest isn't legal here. Your collection fees aren't legal here.

Again, not wanting to argue but what works for you is not one size fits all.

Lots of new information, thanks everyone.

I guess I'm lucky I'be basically just had missing chains, missing/burned out /wrong bulbs & dirty fans.

Thankfully no one has broken the blades.

These fans are older & the chain control is damaged on them.

Might as well change now instead of one here & there.

Sue

Karin, A hundred years ago when I first heard Jeffrey speak, he talked about giving rewards that benefited the house like ceiling fans.

I grabbed that idea and ran with it on each turnover. I started with a big nice WOW! CF in the front room. Then realized WHY NOT in the other rooms. They don't' cost much more than a decent light fixture.

We put them every room possible, including the kitchen and LAUNDRY! ALWAYS gets a WOW!.

On a recent flip we put fans in the garage. Guys LOVED IT!

Cheap stuff in houses attracts cheap renters.

First impression: the front room gets a big fancy medallion on the ceiling. Bedrooms each get a medium medallion. Really dresses up the fan and hides holes made to beef up the elec box to support a fan.

Momma picks the home and Momma LOVES CFs.

This is an inexpensive way to upgrade the home AND rise above the competition.

We have a gazillion CFs in place, working nicely, seldom every a problem. Lowes sells replacement blades. And the CFs are cheap enough we don't worry, just replace it. save the old one for parts.

Bedrooms, kitchen, laundry get Minerva from Menards ($42). I prefer the globes that face down to avoid catching moths.

Those in my age bracket will remember the energy crisis where installing CFs would help reduce AC energy costs. I'm surprised the "reduce my footprint" crowd isn't on top of this.

Summary: don't be a cheapskate. It only takes a few bucks to make your home stand out from the crowd, rent faster, and for more money.

BRAD

Sue,

The wattage limiters only are on the lights and have nothing to do with the fan motor wearing out.

We still have a good stock of the old 60 watt incandescent bulbs we bought before the change to LED. Will switch to LED in a few years when we run out. But I do like how they make the rooms look brighter and cleaner than a 6o watt LED. I also would prefer 75 watt LED but are also harder to find.

A 60 watt LED does not put out as much light (lumens) as a 60 watt incandescent.

I just want one size bulb to keep in stock. So would not want a different one for the fans.

I do understand your concern with a fire hazard. Have you gone around and installed wattage limiters on the rest of the light fixtures in your homes?

It is possible and I am not one to ignore risk. But I have never before had a fan or light fixture catch on fire.

You can always learn something new. Just reading all the articles about ceiling fans here on This forum, I just learned about the idea of A switch on a A wall instead of having pull down chains to control the lights and the fan blades. Going forward I will always use switches on the wall to control The functions of the Ceiling fan.

Also I got rid of my incandescent and CFL lights. I am using strictly LED lights this last year. They aren't that expensive anymore To buy.They save energy costs. Because of having LED lights And other energy saving features in my apartments – – I advertise my apartments as being

THANK YOU EVERYONE!

I appreciate all the input on my question.

I'm going to replace all my ceiling fans on this property.

I like the idea of a fan in the garage.

Think I'll put the best used fan out there.

I'd like to put one out in the covered patio.

The heat gets in the triple digits.

The pitch might not allow a ceiling mount & there not enough height for safety clearance.