Tenant Dispute Over Laundry

[James Babin]

I currently own a house-hack duplex.  The washer and dryer on my tenant's side is located on the back porch (was like that when I bought the place). Five months ago, the washer broke in a freeze and I had to replace.  Now, two days ago, the replacement washer and the dryer both went out. I told her that we will be purchasing a washer dryer stack unit and moving it from the porch into the kitchen, which is the only possible location I can think to put it inside and is directly adjacent to the porch where the plumbing and electrical already is located. 
My insurance has also requested before that I move the units inside.  
I purchased the unit and have it temporarily hooked up on the back porch so she can use it until I can get the plumbing and electrical lines run into the kitchen. 

She is complaining that the stack will take up too much space in the kitchen.  There certainly is enough room for it and laundry in the kitchen is extremely common in older, smaller homes here in New Orleans.  However she has requested that I keep the unit outside until April when her lease expires. 

While I feel for her, I am not comfortable leaving a new unit outside especially when insurance has requested it be inside.  I am torn on how to approach this.  

Any advice would certainly be helpful.  

[Nathan Gesner]

Give her a choice:

1. Install it in the kitchen
2. Don't install it at all and she goes without a washer/dryer
3. Give 30 days notice and move out

Tell her she has 72 hours to make a decision and then go from there. If you've already purchased the unit, then it's too late and she'll have to let you install it in the kitchen or you can place it in storage until she's gone.

Don't let tenants dictate what you do with your property and money.