I started using an appliance addendum after dealing with repeated stove damage that I couldn’t explain. One stove had to be repaired seven times in about six months. In my own properties, I noticed that the repeated stove damage and the moisture problems I was seeing were concentrated in units occupied by Haitian refugee households. I looked for information in property management groups and online discussions and found other landlords describing similar experiences.
The explanations I encountered pointed to differences in cooking routines. Some households were more accustomed to cooking outdoors over charcoal, using large pots, and not monitoring food as closely as people typically do with an electric stove indoors. That can lead to boilovers and damage. Those were the patterns I was trying to address—not a rule about every Haitian resident.
I created an appliance addendum explaining the condition of the appliances and that residents may be responsible for damage caused by misuse or neglect. I also created a Haitian Creole version with a diagram so residents who speak Creole can understand the expectations. I recommend that landlords explain appliance use clearly and apply the same written policy to every resident.
I also noticed moisture problems in some of those units. Residents who are comfortable in warmer temperatures may use the air conditioner less, while cooking large meals and taking hot showers adds moisture indoors. If that moisture isn’t vented, mildew can develop. At my properties, I connected bathroom exhaust fans to the light switches so the fan comes on with the light, helping remove moisture.
These steps came from problems I was seeing in my own properties. Clear appliance expectations, information residents can understand, and better bathroom ventilation helped me address them.