Last Updated: January 2024
Kitchen faucets are a type of building fixture that gets very frequent use among residential apartment tenants. With so many different types of kitchen faucets on the market, choosing the right one for your rental property can be an overwhelming task. As a rental real estate investor, it is important to choose the right faucet that is aligns with your rental property objectives. For example, if your rental property is a luxury property, you may want to choose a premium product.
Best Rental Property Kitchen Faucets
Below we explore the top 5 kitchen faucets for rental properties based on 5 different factors that landlords and property managers should consider when determining which kithchen faucet is best for their investment properties.
Best Overall
Buying Options
Moen – Adler 87233SRS Spot Resist Stainless Zinc, Pull Down Kitchen Faucet, Power Clean, Button, Retractable Wand
Type
Pull Down Faucet, Single Hole
Pros
- Spot-resistant finish helps maintain a cleaner look by resisting water spots and fingerprints
- Easy installation with flexible design options to fit a variety of kitchen styles
Cons
- Typically priced higher than cheaper alternatives
- Replacement parts or repairs might require specialized Moen components
Why We Like This Faucet Overall
This faucet delivers a nice combination of everything you want in a kitchen faucet – great price, stylish design and durability from a trusted brand in kitchen fixtures.
Best Economy
Buying Options
OWOFAN – Pull Down Sprayer Kitchen Faucet, Brushed Nickel Stainless Steel, Single Handle Pull Out Spring, Dual Function
Type
Pull Down Faucet, Single Hole
Pros
- Over 11,000 reviews and competitively priced under $50
- Same features and design as significantly higher priced comparable products
Cons
- Lacking long term durability with high or rough use
- May be difficult to source replacement parts incase of repair
Why We Like This Economy Faucet
For under $50, this kitchen faucet is a great product to get the job done at a low price. It looks just like other faucets that cost 6X the price.
Best Durability
Buying Options
Pfister Pfirst Series 2-Handle Kitchen Faucet, Polished Chrome
Type
Double Handle Faucet, Three Hole
Pros
- Simplistic and functional design ensures durability throughout frequent use
- Polished chrome finish adds a sleek, modern, and timeless look to any kitchen
Cons
- Does not include a pullout spray feature, which may limit its versatility in certain kitchen tasks
- Spout height is 5 inches, which might not be suitable for all sink sizes or kitchen setups
Why We Like This Compact Single Hole Faucet
This kitchen faucet is a great value that delivers a blend of price and durability from a reputable brand (Pfister).
Best Smart
Buying Options
Delta – Essa VoiceIQ Touchless Kitchen Smart Faucet, Pull Down Sprayer, Alexa & Google Assistant Voice Activated, Matte Black
Type
Pull Down Faucet, Single Hole
Pros
- Innovative technology, such as touch and voice activation for convenience and efficiency
- Durable build and stylish design, enhancing both the functionality and aesthetics of a kitchen
Cons
- Significantly priced higher than faucets without smart features
- Advanced technology in faucets may require more complex installation and maintenance
Why We Like This Smart Faucet
When it comes to integrating smart functionality into the kitchen, this faucet is our top pick for its features, durability, and compatibility with smart home assistants (Alexa and Google).
Best Commercial
Buying Options
MSTJRY – Commercial Faucet with Sprayer, Wall Mount Faucet, Pre Rinse Faucet with 25 Inch Height, 12 Inch Spout
Type
Double Handle, Sprayer
Pros
- Brass construction with polished chrome surface offers a sturdy and solid build quality
- Multi-functional with ability to use sprayer or faucet with hold and cold adjustibility
Cons
- Some users have experienced issues with the sprayer button breaking
- Seals/gaskets and joints may need to be replaced and or tightened over time and usage
Why We Like This Commercial Faucet
Commercial kitchen faucets can be expensive and lacking functionality, but this faucet is well built, very versatile and affordable.
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Rental Property Kitchen Faucet FAQ
What to Look for When Buying a Kitchen Faucet for a Rental Property?
Shopping for a kitchen faucet for your rental property apartment unit presents many options when preparing to buy. Among just the cosmetic appearance, there are a few main things to look out for when buying a rental property kitchen faucet. The main points include type of faucet, construction material, brand, and finish type. We examine each point below.
Types of Faucets
The easiest way to distinguish between different types of kitchen faucets is how they look. Each type has its own distinct look, along with pros and cons.
Pull Down Faucet
Pull down kitchen faucets are among the most popular types of kitchen faucets. They are a single post with a goose-neck spout that houses the retractable head with an attached extension hose. Pull down kitchen faucets provide a beautiful design with great functionality. A drawback of pull down faucets is that the retracting hose can wear out over time.
Single Handle Faucet
Single handle kitchen faucets are the most economical types of kitchen faucets. Single handle kitchen faucets can be distinguished with their usually short post with adjustment lever on top. Their simplicity and durability make them a favorite for landlords looking for an economical option. A drawback of single handle faucets is that switching between temperatures can be confusing.
Double Handle Faucet
Double handle faucets are a nice mix of design and functionality. They have a long gooseneck tap, along with 2 operating handles to control each temperature of water. A pro of double handle faucets is that they have separate controls for durability and ease of operation. A con of double handle faucets is that they can be pricey to repair, in which it is usually more economical to just replace the whole unit.
Hands-Free (Motion-Detect) Faucet
Hands free kitchen faucets come in standard shapes and designs as other options, however, they usually do not have an operating handle. These types of faucets are operated by a motion activated spout sensor typically located below the spout. Hands-free faucets are a hygienic and modern take on a classic kitchen centerpiece. They are also the most expensive type of faucet among it’s peers and can be difficult to repair due to the electronics used to operate.
Construction Material
Not all kitchen faucets are made of the obvious building material one would assume (hint: metal). In order to deliver cheaper cost options to consumers, manufacturers have begun making kitchen faucets that are actually made of plastic and then covered with a metal-looking finish. If possible, always try to purchase a kitchen faucet that is fully constructed (or at least mostly constructed) with metal. Kitchen faucets get a lot of use and even the most gentle tenants can quickly wear out a cheap faucet.
Brand
Back in the day, you would have to choose whatever the nearest hardware store had in stock for kitchen faucet options. Nowadays, online building product retailers such as Lowes or even Amazon have brought many new brand names of products into the market. When shopping for a new kitchen faucet, it may be worth the few extra minutes to take a look at the brand’s website and other offerings of products. If they manufacture inconsistent product types such as kitchen faucets and dog leashes too, that might be a sign of concern that their commitment to making quality plumbing fixtures may not be long term.
Faucet Finish Type
Choosing the finish type (i.e. color) of a kitchen faucet shouldn’t affect the functionality of the product, but can definitely improve a kitchen’s design if done right. A general rule of thumb when taking on a rental property construction upgrade is to try and match the faucet with the rest of the other fixtures, handles, and appliances. Below are a few of the most common kitchen faucet finish types along with some attributes of each:
- Black (or Oil Rubbed Bronze): Trendy color that is widely available. Can easily show dust and water marks.
- Brushed Nickel: Most common color available and is similar to stainless steel but at a cheaper price. Hides fingerprints and scratches.
- Chrome: Easily matches common kitchen cookware. Easily prone to showing fingerprints and scratches.
- Stainless Steel: Not prone to rust, very durable, and matches most appliances. Usually more expensive than alternatives.
What is the Cheapest Kitchen Faucet for a Rental Property?
It is important to not forget that rental properties are a business at the end of the day. This means that the property should (ideally) generate more revenue than expenses. Buying the cheapest fixture such as a kitchen faucet for an apartment unit is one way to practice good expense control habits as a landlord or property manager. While it might not be guaranteed to last forever, the lower price allowed for some extra money to be left over in your wallet. As of the time of this writing, the cheapest functional new kitchen faucet we have found is:
Susbie Deck Mount Kitchen Faucet with Pull Down Sprayer – Stainless Steel Color
Are Leaking and/or Dripping Faucets the Landlord Responsibility to Repair?
The short answer is, yes it is usually the Landlord’s responsibility to repair/replace anything that is installed within the actual structure or was included upon tenant possession of the rental. The caveat would be if it was destructively destroyed by the tenant or if it was stipulated in the lease agreement. If you have a leaking faucet or dripping faucet, it is best to first reach out to your landlord or property management company to see what they say about repairing it. Most should be more than willing to address the issue. Be sure to check your local laws for guidance, as most cities have outlined housing standards that address issues such as these.
About the Author
Ryan Nelson
I’m an investor, real estate developer, and property manager with hands-on experience in all types of real estate from single family homes up to hundreds of thousands of square feet of commercial real estate. RentalRealEstate is my mission to create the ultimate real estate investor platform for expert resources, reviews and tools. Learn more about my story.
