Shared Laundry in Basement or Washer Hookups for each apartment

[Steve Mcdonald]

Hello all,

In Unit hookups or Shared Laundry coin type in basement.

I currently have a 3 family in Jackson Heights NY with shared cold water. The area has a strong Asian and Latin population. The area is upcoming and near to subways, buses, stores and a major hospital. The area does have a laundromat. About 6 blocks each direction. Generally long waits and not very clean. Especially in snow and rain.

I am looking to attract a more stable and better tenants. In the area the big apartment building provide only shared laundry and all the 2 and 3 family do not provide any laundry convenience.

I think by providing in the building laundry conveniences would help give an edge to better tenants vs the other buildings that don't have.

Questions

What are your experiences?

Do you think it worth for just hookups for each apartment or shared laundry in basement coin operated or not at all?

I would prefer shared laundry in basement, but afraid if people fall down the stairs, start storing items in basement, keeping door open and neighbors may start using it and abuse it, playing around in basement even though I could section off the area by putting walls but still worried.

If going in unit hookup route. Their would be no dryer option with the cold water feeding both hot and cold tap on the hookup due to I have to foot the water bill and would be specified in the lease. Tenants would be only allowed to connect washer dryer combo that would be vent less or washing machine? Ventless because I am afraid of dryer fire due to tenant not cleaning lint.

Having a washer hookup in NYC apartment is priceless as it really sucks going in rain, snow etc and waiting at the laundromat and carrying the large load back.

Thanks again for your time. 

Steve