Washer, dryer and fridge rentals for tenants

Tenants in apartments without laundry, students, newcomers to Canada, and people on short work contracts who don't want to buy outright.

A monthly rental fee per appliance, often with a delivery or installation fee and a damage deposit. Each unit earns steadily over many months, so it pays back its cost over time.

• Basic appliance repair and cleaning
• Customer service and clear agreements
• Lifting and driving safely

• Rental and consumer protection rules differ by province, and Quebec has its own rules, so check your provincial consumer protection office
• Commercial general liability insurance, plus cover for the stored stock and your vehicle use
• Gas dryers and stoves usually need a certified installer, so check local requirements before offering them
• Old fridges contain refrigerants, so check your province's rules for safe disposal and handling
• A home-based business licence may be needed from your municipality, and check GST/HST registration once revenue grows
• Late payments and damaged units, so use deposits and clear terms

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on how many appliances you buy, your storage space and your delivery set-up. Late payments and damaged units are risks, so plan for deposits and clear terms.

Check your provincial consumer protection office, as rules differ by province and Quebec has its own. Check local requirements for certified installers on gas dryers and stoves, refrigerant disposal rules for old fridges, and whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $800 to $4,000, depending on how many units you have out on rent and your monthly fees. Plan for about 8 hours a week at minimum, and check GST/HST registration as revenue grows.