Duplex Laundry Predicament

[Brian Loibl]

I have an up-down duplex (2bed/1bath per unit) that I'm currently house hacking in NE Minneapolis, MN. The laundry is in the basement, however, the only way the upper unit can get to the basement is either through the bottom unit or an exterior door. This property was converted some years back from a single family to duplex, hence the strange basement access. I'm living in the upper unit as it is the smaller unit and would command less in rent and currently finishing up some renovations on the bottom unit, but will soon be looking to get tenants in the bottom unit. Once the bottom unit is occupied I'm fine taking the exterior route to the basement, however, if I move out one day and try to rent the upper unit I doubt renters would appreciate the exterior route in the cold/snowy Minnesota winter. I really only see 3 options: 1. have the upper unit take the exterior route, 2. install stacked laundry in the upper unit, or 3. work something out with the bottom unit to allow occasional access for the upper tenants to get to the basement for laundry. I think option 3 would be optimal (no extra install costs and no need to walk outside to do laundry), but not sure how I would go about implementing that. Hopefully, I can start a dialog on what has worked for others.

[Kurt Kleespies]

I would think that potential extra income from in-unit wash/dryer along with ease of renting both units as stated previously would be best.  Being a Minnesotan myself, I would turn down a unit if there were any other options available if I had to walk outside to get to the laundry.  Likewise, I would not be happy if I was in the bottom unit and people were going in/out of my space at all hours.  Pretty big invasion of privacy in my opinion.

I would think that the cost will be well worth it in the long run for rents and/or for a potential sale of the building down the road.  Just think about it as an investment for the long run and the benefit that will come to so many people over the years.