Washer dryer hookup issue in rental

[Franc B.]

Hi BPs,

We have a rental in Georgia that has a washer dryer hookup. Unfortunately the placement of a water heater in close proximity to the water and vent hook ups is preventing the tenant from fitting a washer and dryer unit set up in the cabinet space provided (side by side and stacked config not possible). A contractor has quoted $7K worth of work to move the water heater, relocate the hook ups, remove and replace walls etc in order to allow for a conventional 2 machine setup. 

The only option is to buy a 2-in-1 combo machine that does both dry and wash. But the tenant says they cannot afford such a set up (it approaches $2K). What are my options here?

1. Purchase the machine and make it part of the rental? I’m concerned about having to maintain it.

2. Make the tenant pay for the machine and subsidize it for them?

3. Take a hard line and make tenant find it. They are a good tenant btw.

Open to any ideas and advice here. Thank you.

[Theresa Harris]

I'd tell them you will buy it and install it, however, their rent will be increased $X a month to cover the fact that you've now supplied a washer and dryer.  Paying the $2K for a new set of machines vs $7K and having tenants move washers and dryers in and out (assuming they hook them up properly) is going to cost more in the long run.  If you add $50 a month to the rent, it will pay for itself in a few years.  Make sure when you amend the lease that you include the tenant needs to care for both appliances (ie clean the lint trap after each load) and use appropriate detergents.