[amgraham]

Not trying to pile on here and jaye… It seems there's a "history" of this water heater rental thing that backs up your position, at least in terms of acceptance, in your defense.

Reading a few articles and whatnot... This apparently goes back 50 years in Ontario when the energy companies subsidized water heaters and sometimes other appliances, in order to attract customers. Since then... those rental businesses were divested from the energy companies but... it seems that builders and property management companies had agreements with them to sign up new owners and tenants, for a kickback, obviously. Some articles mention people buying houses and upon signing the closing documents, found out they'd signed up for a 14-year-term "rental". When they found out about this, the "buyout" was $3500-$4500 to get out of the contract, just for the water heater. Others found out it was $15K plus to get out of "renting" the HVAC system, etc. I even found articles where people *moved* their water heater to avoid having to get a rental. You have to understand that's just super odd to us... it's plumbed in... stays with the house.

I see how it might seem like the "normal" thing to do there and understand your decision but... in the rest of Canada and all of the US... it's really "odd". I think you think folks that are critical of this, as am I... it doesn't make sense but I can see how since, there, it seems weirdly typical.

As far as "renting" goes... No, I've never paid more than it cost to buy, to rent. Not even close, at least when "buying" is an option.

Lastly, again, back to Google... You can "touch" it. Looking at Ontario codes.. You can install your own. You just have to have it inspected by a certified, licensed professional, and tagged... and... you have to be the owner of a detached house and you're good. Maybe you don't meet those parameters but we don't have that info from you. Pretty similar to where I am.. Maybe you can't touch it because of the rental agreement but... after 14 years... You should be able to get out of the contract easily. Even at inflated rates for an "emergency" call, you'd have saved a bunch of money. Like I said... I ripped out and installed an 80 gallon unit. They're *HEAVY*. But... Lowes and Home Depot wanted $79 to install anything up to 70 gallons. $249 to install anything over that. Maybe I'm cheap.

I get that you asked that this thread be closed and I understand. I think that you probably didn't get that... "renting" a water heater was TOTALLY absurd to those of us down here, and many of those above the border. "Renting" appliances and furniture, etc. seems to target the same segment as payday loan places, buy-here-pay-here-lots and pawn shops. It's never a good deal. It just seems to focus on folks who've established a history of bad financial decisions.