Rental Property Investor · Salem, NH · Member since 2016 · 460 posts · 276 votes
Two of my tenants have a washer/dryer installed in their units.
Eventually down the road when I build up capital I would like to put a coin-op in the basement. When this happens how can I have them remove their washer/dryers? Can I just simply turn off the water supple going up to their units?
@Steve DellaPelle the washer / dryer hook ups add to the value of your property just like you paying the water adds value. Tenants would rather have in-unit laundry than having coin op in the basement. I question whether you will make more money by charging for laundry, because it reduces the rent value of the unit. Plus who is to say they don't just go to a laundry mat. You are better to increase rents to account for the water and convenience of in-unit laundry.
I am in the process of submetering my duplexes. In the simple case where there is already a main shut off for each unit I paid $750 to have a submeter with a remote (outside) reader installed. If you have plumbing skills you can probably do it much cheaper but you'll need to be careful about accuracy and have a way to test it. We do pass through charging at the same rate as the local water company to avoid any possible problems with being regulated for selling utilities
Let them keep the washer and dryer! If they stop working it's not your responsibility to fix them. And when the coin ops have issues (and they will) it's an extra expense for you!
I owned MF's and SFR's and let tenants install their own washers and dryers. I wind up owning them when they leave it behind or offer to sell it to me cheaply. So I would then include them for the next tenant.
I also owned and rented out condos where they have in house coin operated laundries. There were two in the complex where I had the condos, not well kept, and residents who use them tend to do their laundry, go away to do chores, and people going after will find clothes in them, and then had to clear it out. Often, it leads to arguments. So residents resort to install washer dryers in their own unit, or go to the laundromat a few blocks away.
Years ago, I myself lived in an apartment building with coin opt laundry. It's so dingy and unsightly that I get up early on Saturdays and go to the laundromats. These days, they offer wash and fold services which they didn't have back then. Of course, if I have a washer dryer in my unit, I rather do it at home than going to the laundromat.
I been living in the same unit since 2017. New owner wants to replace my benefits of washer and dryer hook ups with coin operators.
1. I have a voucher from Section 8. Each year they do an inspection. In the inspection they stated that i have washer and dryer hook ups and this is a way to reason the cost of the unit.
2. I pay for my utilities and they want to do this with washer been connected to the water heater that i pay for. Same with the electricity that i'm paying for and connect coin operators and for me to pay for the services of this machines.
3. Section 8 is laying back and don't want to do anything.
4. Got in touch with legal aid and they wont help with me, the excuse that they only provide services to tenants that are been evicted.
I just want to put it out there and see if anyone can relate to my situation.
Well, what does the lease say? Usually, in most leases you can't make permanent changes to the building systems without your approval. Also did they get permits since if wired wrong and it catches on fire you're on the hook.
If they have broked the lease, you need to give them written notice of same and they be subject to eviction. I'd ask an atty first though since at a min, I'd unplug stuff.
Water bills are a killer and washing machines don't help.