New York landlords are not required to provide a refrigerator

A refrigerator is not listed as a required appliance under New York State housing law or New York City Housing Maintenance Code. Landlords must provide certain things — heat, hot water, working plumbing, electricity — but a refrigerator is not one of them. Whether a unit comes with a fridge depends on what the lease says and what the landlord chooses to include.

That said, the lease itself matters. If your lease states that a refrigerator is included, the landlord must provide one and maintain it in working order. If the lease is silent on appliances, you cannot demand one. If the unit is advertised as "furnished" or "with appliances," the landlord is expected to supply them, but the specific items depend on what was advertised.

Key Takeaways

  • New York State law does not require landlords to provide a refrigerator as a condition of habitability.
  • If your lease includes a refrigerator, the landlord must provide and maintain it; if the lease does not mention one, you cannot demand it.
  • Furnished apartments or those advertised with appliances may include a fridge, but the lease language determines what is actually required.
  • If a refrigerator breaks and is listed in your lease, report it in writing and give the landlord a reasonable time to repair or replace it.

What New York requires landlords to provide

New York State Housing Maintenance Code Section 27-2005 sets out what landlords must supply. The list includes heat (at least 68 degrees in winter), hot water, electricity, working plumbing, and structural integrity. Appliances beyond these basics are not mandated.

New York City adds a few items to the state baseline — for example, landlords must provide a stove and oven — but a refrigerator still does not appear. The stove requirement exists because cooking is a basic need; a refrigerator, by contrast, is treated as optional unless the lease or advertisement says otherwise.

How to check what your lease says about appliances

Open your lease and search for the word "appliance" or "refrigerator." If either appears, read that section carefully. It should say whether the landlord provides the fridge, who is responsible for repairs, and what happens if it breaks.

If your lease lists appliances but does not specify which ones, or if it says "appliances as shown," take photos of the unit before you move in. These photos become evidence of what was there on day one. Keep them in a folder with your lease.

If the lease says nothing about appliances at all, the landlord has no obligation to provide or maintain a refrigerator. You own any fridge you bring in, and you can take it with you when you leave.

What to do if the refrigerator breaks and it is in your lease

Send your landlord a written notice — email counts — describing the problem and asking for repair or replacement. Include the date you noticed the issue. Give the landlord a reasonable time to respond, usually 7 to 14 days for a non-emergency repair.

If the landlord does not act, you have options. In New York City, you can file a complaint with the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) through their website or by calling 311. The city can issue a violation and order the landlord to fix it. In other parts of New York State, contact your local code enforcement office or housing authority.

Do not withhold rent or repair-and-deduct without legal information first. These remedies exist in New York but have strict rules about notice, documentation, and timing. A lawyer or legal aid organization can tell you whether your situation qualifies.

Furnished apartments and appliance advertisements

If an apartment is listed as "furnished" or "fully furnished," the landlord is expected to provide standard household items, which usually includes a refrigerator. If an ad says "with appliances," the landlord should supply them. The specific items depend on what was advertised and what is typical for that market.

Before signing a lease on a furnished unit, ask the landlord to list every appliance included. Add that list to the lease as an attachment or addendum. This prevents disputes later about what was promised.

Bringing your own refrigerator

If the lease does not include a fridge, you can buy or rent one yourself. You own it and can take it when you move. Some landlords allow tenants to install built-in or semi-permanent appliances; others do not. Check your lease or ask before you buy.

If you rent a refrigerator from a company rather than buying one, read the rental agreement carefully. Some rental agreements charge high fees if you break the lease early or if the appliance is damaged. Buying a used fridge from a local seller or online marketplace is often cheaper than renting over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a landlord remove a refrigerator that was in the unit when I moved in?

No. If the fridge was there on move-in day and the lease says appliances are included, the landlord cannot remove it without your consent. If the landlord removes it, that is a breach of the lease and you may have grounds to withhold rent or break the lease. Document the removal with photos and written notice to the landlord.

What if my lease says "appliances as shown" but does not list them?

The phrase "as shown" means the appliances present in the unit on the day you signed the lease are included. Take photos and video of the unit before you move in, with timestamps if possible. These images prove what was there. If a refrigerator was shown, it stays with the unit.

Can I deduct the cost of a refrigerator from my rent if the landlord does not provide one?

Only if the lease requires the landlord to provide one and the landlord refuses to repair or replace a broken fridge after written notice and a reasonable waiting period. Even then, the repair-and-deduct remedy has strict rules in New York. Consult a legal aid organization or tenant rights group before you deduct anything from rent.

Does a refrigerator count as a "habitability" issue in New York?

No. Habitability in New York covers heat, hot water, plumbing, electricity, and structural safety — not appliances. A missing or broken refrigerator is not grounds to claim the apartment is uninhabitable, even though it is inconvenient. Your remedy is the lease itself: if the lease includes a fridge, the landlord must provide it.