When investing in a property, one of the most important things you can note about the purchase is the condition of things around the house and how much time you think you’ll have until major replacements will need to be made on the property and its components.
So with wear and tear over the years what should we expect the life expectancy of the different elements of your rental home to be?
How long can you expect your washer and dryer to last? What about the HVAC system you just installed? The plumbing?
Below we review the estimated life expectancies for all of these different components of your rental home and how long they should remain functional for you or your tenants! This data is provided by the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. This data is generalized and there are many factors that can play a part in your items life span being short or longer than what is seen here. Per InterNACHI - Consumers, inspectors, and professionals advising their clients should note that these life expectancies have been determined through research and testing based on regular recommended maintenance and conditions of normal wear and tear, and not extreme weather or other conditions, neglect, over-use or abuse. Therefore, they should be used as guidelines only, and not relied upon as guarantees or warranties.
Home Appliance Life Expectancies
The appliances in your home are going to be affected most by the user and life expectancy will vary depending on the use the appliance sees from your tenant, etc.
| Appliance | Life Expectancy |
| A/C Window Unit | 5 to 7 years |
| Trash Compactor | 6 Years |
| Dehumidifier | 8 Years |
| Dishwasher | 9 Years |
| Garbage Disposal | 12 Years |
| Plastic Dryer Vent | 5 Years |
| Steel Dryer Vent | 20 Years |
| Dryer | 13 Years |
| Exhaust Fans | 10 Years |
| Freezer | 10 to 20 Years |
| Gas Oven | 10 to 18 Years |
| Hand Dryer | 10 to 12 Years |
| Humidifier | 8 Years |
| Microwave Oven | 9 Years |
| Range/Oven Hood | 14 Years |
| Electric Range | 13 to 15 Years |
| Gas Range | 15 to 17 Years |
| Refrigerator | 9 to 13 Years |
| Swamp Cooler | 5 to 15 Years |
| Washing Machine | 5 to 15 Years |
| Whole-House Vacuum System | 20 Years |
HVAC Life Expectancies
| HVAC System | Life Expectancy |
| Central A/C | 7 to 15 Years |
| Air Exchanger | 15 Years |
| Attic Fan | 15 to 25 Years |
| Boiler | 40 Years |
| Burner | 10+ Years |
| Ceiling Fan | 5 to 10 Years |
| Chimney Cap (concrete) | 100+ Years |
| Chimney Cap (metal) | 10 to 20 Years |
| Chimney Cap (mortar) | 15 Years |
| Chimney Flue Tile | 40 to 120 Years |
| Condenser | 8 to 20 Years |
| Dampers | 20+ Years |
| Dehumidifier | 8 Years |
| Diffusers, Grilles and Registers | 25 Years |
| Ducting | 60 to 100 Years |
| Electric Radiant Heater | 40 Years |
| Evaporative Cooler | 15 to 25 Years |
| Furnace | 15 to 25 Years |
| Gas Fireplace | 15 to 25 Years |
| Heat Exchanger | 10 to 15 Years |
| Heat Pump | 10 to 15 Years |
| Heat-Recovery Ventilator | 20 Years |
| Hot-Water and Steam-Radiant Boiler | 40 Years |
| Humidifier | 12 Years |
| Induction and Fan-Coil Units | 10 to 15 Years |
| Thermostats | 35 Years |
| Ventilator | 7 Years |
Plumbing Fixture Life Expectancies
| Plumbing Fixtures | Life Expectancy |
| ABS and PVC Waste Pipe | 50 to 80 Years |
| Accessible/ADA Handles | 100+ Years |
| Acrylic Kitchen Sink | 50 Years |
| Cast-Iron Bathtub | 100 Years |
| Cast-Iron Waste Pipe (above ground) | 60 Years |
| Cast-Iron Waste Pipe (below ground) | 50 to 60 Years |
| Concrete Waste Pipe | 100+ Years |
| Copper Water Lines | 70 Years |
| Enameled Steel Kitchen Sink | 5 to 10+ Years |
| Faucets and Spray Hose | 15 to 20 Years |
| Fiberglass Bathtub and Shower | 20 Years |
| Gas Lines (black steel) | 75 Years |
| Gas Lines (flex) | 30 Years |
| Hose Bibs | 20 to 30 Years |
| Instant (on-demand) Water Heater | 10 Years |
| PEX | 40 Years |
| Plastic Water Lines | 75 Years |
| Saunas/Steam Room | 15 to 20 Years |
| Sewer Grinder Pump | 10 Years |
| Shower Enclosure/Module | 50 Years |
| Shower Doors | 20 Years |
| Showerheads | 100+ Years |
| Soapstone Kitchen Sink | 100+ Years |
| Sump Pump | 7 Years |
| Toilet Tank Components | 5 Years |
| Toilets, Bidets and Urinals | 100+ Years |
| Vent Fan (ceiling) | 5 to 10 Years |
| Vessel Sink (stone, glass, porcelain, copper) | 5 to 20+ Years |
| Water Heater (conventional) | 6 to 12 Years |
| Water Line (copper) | 50 Years |
| Water Line (plastic) | 50 Years |
| Water Softener | 20 Years |
| Well Pump | 15 Years |
| Whirlpool Tub | 20 to 50 Years |
Surface Preparation & Paint on Your Property
| Adhesives, Caulks & Paints | Life Expectancy |
| Caulking (interior & exterior) | 5 to 10 Years |
| Construction Glue | 20+ Years |
| Paint (exterior) | 7 to 10 Years |
| Paint (interior) | 10 to 15 Years |
| Roofing Adhesives/Cements | 15+ Years |
| Sealants | 8 Years |
| Stains | 3 to 8 Years |
Cabinets & Storage on Your Property
| Cabinets & Storage | Life Expectancy |
| Bathroom Cabinets | 50+ Years |
| Closet Shelves | 100+ Years |
| Entertainment Center/Home Office | 10 Years |
| Garage/Laundry Cabinets | 70+ Years |
| Kitchen Cabinets | 50 Years |
| Medicine Cabinet | 25+ Years |
| Modular (stock manufacturing-type) | 50 Years |
Walls & Ceilings
| Ceilings & Walls | Life Expectancy |
| Acoustical Tile Ceiling | 40+ Years |
| Ceramic Tile | 100+ Years |
| Concrete | 10 Years |
| Gypsum | 70+ Years |
| Wood Paneling | 20 to 50 Years |
| Suspended Ceiling | 25+ Years |
Countertops
| Countertops | Life Expectancy |
| Concrete | 50 Years |
| Cultured Marble | 20 Years |
| Natural Stone | 100+ Years |
| Laminate | 20 to 30 Years |
| Resin | 10+ Years |
| Tile | 100+ Years |
| Wood | 100+ Years |
Doors
| Doors | Life Expectancy |
| Closet (interior) | 100+ Years |
| Fiberglass (exterior) | 100+ Years |
| Fire-Rated Steel (exterior) | 100+ Years |
| French (interior) | 30 to 50 Years |
| Screen (exterior) | 30 Years |
| Sliding Glass/Patio (exterior) | 20 Years |
| Vinyl (exterior) | 20 Years |
| Wood (exterior) | 100+ Years |
| Wood (hollow-core interior) | 20 to 30 Years |
| Wood (solid-core interior) | 30 to 100+ Years |
Home Technology
| Home Technology | Life Expectancy |
| Built-In Audio | 100+ Years |
| Carbon Monoxide Detectors* | 100+ Years |
| Doorbells | 100+ Years |
| Home Automation System | 30 to 50 Years |
| Intercoms | 30 Years |
| Security System | 20 Years |
| Smoke/Heat Detectors* | Less than 10 Years |
| Wireless Home Network | 5+ Years |
Roofing
| Roofing | Life Expectancy |
| Aluminum Coating | 50 to 80 Years |
| Asphalt (architectural) | 100+ Years |
| Asphalt Shingles (3-tab) | 50 Years |
| BUR (built-up roofing) | 100 Years |
| Clay/Concrete | 60 Years |
| Coal and Tar | 50 to 60 Years |
| Copper | 100+ Years |
| EPDM Rubber | 70 Years |
| Fiber Cement | 5 to 10+ Years |
| Green (vegetation-covered) | 15 to 20 Years |
| Metal | 20 Years |
| Modified Bitumen | 75 Years |
| Simulated Slate | 30 Years |
| Slate | 20 to 30 Years |
| TPO | 7 to 20 Years |
| Wood | 25 Years |
This only begins to scratch the surface for the life expectancy of the elements that make up your home. For more information and life expectancies of other systems, items and fixtures around your home visit the International Association of Certified Home Inspector’s Standard Estimated Life Expectancy Chart for Homes.
It’s important to remember that a tenant is more than likely not going to show the same respect to your home and its appliances the same you would if you were living in the property. You can help prevent problem tenants from destroying your rental home by being firm with your leasing criteria and collecting a security deposit equal to at least one month’s rent.
While the life expectancies above do factor in normal wear and tear, it also factors in proper maintenance of appliances. If you are providing tenants with any appliances that require care be sure to write this into your lease requiring the tenant to do so. Doing so can give you recourse should a tenant or resident in your home neglect addressing any issues on your appliance during their time living in your home.
Want to speak to an Austin property manager about your rental property? Contact our Austin property management company today by giving us a call at 512.615.7737.
