The Appliance Recall Check First-Time Landlords Should Add to Their Records

List the major appliances that came with the rental, such as the refrigerator, range, dishwasher, washer, and dryer. For each one, record the type, manufacturer, full model number, serial number, and any product number, date code, or manufacture date shown on its rating plate or label. The label’s location and format vary, so use the appliance manual or the maker’s guidance if you cannot find or read it.

Keep the information with the property’s maintenance records. A clear label photo can help preserve details that are easy to mistype. Note when the appliance was checked and update the record if the appliance is replaced. If an identifier is missing or unreadable, write that down rather than guessing.

Use the CPSC’s Recalls & Product Safety Warnings page. It can be searched and browsed by product category, including appliances. Search the appliance type and manufacturer, then try the model and other identifying terms from the label. Open a notice that looks relevant: its details can include the products covered, identifying information, the hazard, the remedy, and company contact details.

CPSC says its recall data is updated weekly, and remedy information may change daily. Write down the date you searched and the notice you reviewed so you know which information your notes reflect. Check the current notice again when you are following up on a remedy.

Compare the notice with the appliance in front of you. Check the full model number, including letters, suffixes, or other characters, and compare any serial-number range, date code, or other product identifier the notice gives. A match on a manufacturer’s name alone—or on a similar-looking model—is not enough to establish that a specific appliance is included.

Likewise, a quick search that returns no obvious result does not settle the question if the label is missing or the model information is incomplete. If the details conflict, the notice is unclear, or you cannot identify the appliance, leave its status unresolved. Contact the manufacturer using the details in the notice or its official support channel; you can also contact CPSC for guidance. Ask them to check the exact identifiers and keep the response with your records.

If the exact product is covered, follow the instructions in that recall notice. Notices can specify different actions, so do not assume the remedy or next step from another product’s recall. If you are unsure whether your appliance matches, ask before treating a broad brand match as confirmation.

Keep a short dated note with the appliance identifiers, the search date, any matching notice, who you contacted, the answer, and the next step. SaferProducts.gov is CPSC’s public site for searching and reading consumer product incident reports and submitting reports. It can provide additional context, but it is not a substitute for checking official recall notices or for inspecting and maintaining an appliance. A recall lookup also does not tell you the appliance’s current condition.

This small record makes the next check more precise. It is one informational step, separate from routine inspection, maintenance, and any advice you need for a specific property.