Are you asking about appliances to rent to furnish your place?

Or are you asking about basic appliances to buy and put into a rental unit?

For the former, unless it's for ultra short term, you might be better off buying, even if it's on time. For the latter, most companies have old tech models that are some of their better units from the past that they just keep on making for down market. A basic 30" range should satisfy most renters. I'd go with gas or coil. Glass over electric is more easy to damage and a major pain to clean. Induction requires knowledge of how to use it and the correct cookware, and is much more expensive (like four times as much). Similarly, an ordinary top freezer fridge should be fine. Hot Point is a brand that's still being used for appliances meant for rentals. If you want to go up from there, you can.

Tenants are notorious for destroying appliances, so it's not worth putting too much money into them. Landlords stopped supplying fridges where I live about 30 years ago. You must provide a stove in most locations, unless the tenants tell you that they want to bring their own, and actually do so. A standard size, freestanding range is definitely the way to go, however, because it's easy to change out.

I could be wrong, but I think I remember you mentioning you are in VA. If so, one place that comes to mind is HH Gregg, bc they normally offer package sales while the salespeople there have the ability to drop prices from the floor and they have been known to subsitute models if one thing in the package you would like different. I know folks who have purchased appliances that way for their beach rental homes and gotten great deals bc they had prices of the models from other stores with them.

I would suggest white or black appliances. FWIW I just purchased a top freezer fridge for my basement kitchenette that I'm really happy with. The sale included a free ice maker in store. I actually chose black ;) http://www.lowes.com/pd_623783-46-WRT311FZDB_0Z1z0vj8gZ1z10e4s__?productId=50297735&pl=1&Ntt=whirlpool+refrigerators

Yes, to put into a rental unit. And it "needs" to be stainless steel. Also needs to include a fridge where I am.
And, yes, gas. Definitely no convection.
Also, j realized that the OTR microwave is broken, so need to replace that but am actually thinking about replacing with an under cab hood.
Any feedback on a slide-in range? I could get a great deal but not sure about potential hassle with counters and how repair prone they are.

HHGregg is a great suggestion.

You should look for bundle deals. You can get a basic SS gas range, fridge, DW and OTR MW for a good price -- aka builder's packages -- or look to leverage manufacturer rebates. We put a Bosch suite in our part-time rental as we were trying to appeal to a higher end renter.

If you're in No. VA, try the Sears Outlet at Potomac Mills. They usually have new, in the wrapping, fridges and other items.

Are slide-in ranges more repair prone?

Also, is Frigidaire still at the bottom in terms of repairs? My GE fridge is terrible, with bins, shelves, etc. cracking very easily.

And, finally, I'm assuming the fewer extras, the less likely a tenant will break it, i.e. no water/ice dispenser, convection, too many electronic options.

The problem with slide in ranges is that the size varries and replacing one often takes some jiggering, whereas if you leave a standard sized space for a freestanding range, you can just pull one out and put a new one in, without any fuss or bother (though it'll likely need a thorough cleaning behind because tenants never move the range to clean).

Good point. Narrowing down the choices.

Another way to ask: Which brands/features, or lack thereof, are fool proof?

Top-mount refrigerator - least expensive, most energy efficient, and actually easier to use;

No brands are fool proof, but the simpler the appliance, the better. Easier to fix, cheaper to fix, less to break and needed to BE fixed in the first place.

Get a washing machine that has no second rinse cycle, if you can.

Older stuff tends to have been made better, so sometimes it's best to get old model workhorses on CL and on eBay (for small appliances, like blenders). Older large appliances, though, use more energy, so it's a trade-off.

For instance, for my rental, which is also my home, I bought this type of GE blender on eBay. Absolutely LOVE it. Glass jar, powerful motor, works great, doesn't take up a lot of space.