Washer dryer hook up questions

[Thi Dalley]

We are about to close on a duplex in Grand Rapids MI. Upper unit is a 2 bed 1 bath. Lower unit is a 3 bed one bath. Currently there is laundry set up in the basement with access only for the lower unit. We are debating whether or not we should move the laundry to the first floor where we could close off one of the rooms and make it accessible from the outside so it can serve as a laundry area for both units. A few questions though: Q: is it worth it to do all the plumbing work and have the laundry moved up to the first floor just so the top floor can get access to laundry? Would this increase the chances of getting tenants? Q: how should we bill for water? The utilities are currently separated between the two units. Obviously the water will have to be connected to either the first floor unit or the 2nd floor unit. So one tenant is going to be paying for the water for both tenants to use the machine. Q: we also thought about just installing another washer dryer hook up to the second floor so each floor would have access to their own laundry. Would this be a better option? I heard having laundry on the second floor shakes the house... But so many do it this is probably irrelevant. The only other thing is eventually we want to turn this into a three unit so we figured one laundry room for all three units would work best. Or maybe in the future just have laundry for each unit? What do you guys think?

[Andrew Fredrickson]

I think to make it easier on yourself, and your tenants, adding another washer and dryer hookup on the second floor would make sense. Different markets are different, but I feel that each unit having their own laundry would be more enticing for potential renters.