[actually_a_dog]

You're saying that rather than spend what, $1k or so at most (which would be what it would cost replace the refrigerator entirely), you'd rather poke the bear and risk a 77% rent hike (which would be what you'd have if you'd gotten 6 rent increases of 10% over the past 3 years)? It's not like the landlord can sue you when you move out if you leave them an equivalent, but brand new refrigerator.

[sbierwagen]

Why would I leave them a brand new refrigerator? The economically rational course of action would be, on moving out, to put the refrigerator that came with the unit back in place, while I depart with the refrigerator that I purchased with my own money. After all, the unit's refrigerator died of old age while I was occupying it, I didn't do anything to it, and shouldn't be liable for replacement costs. Just store the failed appliance intthe living room until I move out.

Letting the landlord replace it a year later than they otherwise would have saves them money!

[actually_a_dog]

Fair point. I suppose I just assumed you didn't have space to keep a non-functional refrigerator just sitting around, like most people.