A washer/dryer for each unit a good idea?

[Fareed Fityan]

I recently purchased a duplex which is now completely vacant. There is a water heater and  washer/dryer hookup for each unit. I purchased a washer & dryer for the bottom unit, hoping to relocate it to a common area in the near future. The problem is now I just moved into the top unit and looking to rent out the bottom unit very soon. This will leave me without a washer/dryer. I am planning on having the future tenants pay for their water (each unit has its own address) and utilities anyway, so is it worth getting another washer/dryer set instead of building the extra storage to house it in a common area?

Just for some background, I was hoping to remove a water heater from the top unit and connect the pipes to have just one water heater hooked up for both units, but financially it will be a lot more expensive than to just buy another washer/dryer set.

So my question is: what would be the advantage to having one shared water heater for both units with one communal washer/dryer, compared to keeping the water heaters separate with one w/d for each unit?

Thanks!

[Colleen F.]

Keep them separate.  Each unit has its own utilities, each unit pays for its own use. I would get the washer dryer for your current unit and leave it at that. I am not sure what advantage a common laundry would be. If you move out you likely have to cover the water and electric cost because it is common why would you want to do that? If you aren't staying long buy a used  washer dryer and put in the lease you won't replace them providing that is legal in CAlifornia.