All Forum Posts by: Mark A.

Hi @Mark A.,

In this case I might just leave it be. (Lesson learned about having them in there in the first place though).

The units are faulty and old. The minute you start accepting a higher rent for them you own them. From her perspective if she is paying more a month "I am paying I want it to work and these don't clean my clothes properly". "I have to dry it twice", Then you end up buying new ones.

Normally I don't advocate ignoring issues, but if it isn't a problem now, i would just let it go. Could she start doing a laundry service? i suppose, but I also figure you will notice the bill and then have to act. At this point you are just taking her little load a week from her.

Good Luck!

have you noticed a change in your bill for elec or water.. that will give you idea of cost.

Personally the headache of coin op machines aren't worth the hassle of their extra cost for only 1 unit.

Tell her usage is $$ per month extra and machines are on their last leg.

I'd replace as needed it will benefit anyone that rents there and is a basic amenity that keeps tenants.

Cost of machines can be deducted on your taxes. and extra per month should cover cost of machines in future and power , water so honestly at $2 bucks a wash at the laundromat and probably same for dry. I'd say $30.00 a month is a good guess for service if it's single occupancy.. more if more people

Why not buy a quality washer and dryer for the duplex and in the future you can up your rent. To me it makes renting the units easier because of the luxury.

Put a lock on the door!

Tell her they are broken and you are replacing them with coin op machines which should work much better.

In the greater scheme of things, this isn't costing you a thing beyond a couple of bucks for water and electricity each month. I'm not saying what she is doing is right, but if you take action like cutting the cord or removing the washer and dryer, she might just up and move on out. And that really would cost you in terms of the headache of finding another tenant and possibly even a vacancy.  I would just make it clear to her that when the washer / dryer break, you have no plans to fix or replace them.

@Mark A. 

You could always reroute the electrical amd gas from her unit to supply the laundry mashines ; )

If you don't want the machines and and they work. You could list them for sale on Craigslist or if your city a a virtual garage sale site in Facebook. You may be able to get a few bucks for them.

The way I see this situation is she is tired taking her cloths to the laundromat. So when she had the oppurtunity she decided to use your laundry in the basement. If you get rid of the washer and dryer she would be going back to the laundromat and will have to pay.  Your tenant may be willing to pay for the convenience to have a washing machine downstairs.  You just have not asked.  I would first get rid of the existing machines. Then present her with the idea of getting a coin operated machine. 

Also from my experiance the coin operated machines a far more reliable than the new fancy machine that have all the sensors and cool features. 

A final thought is,  a coin operated machine would encourage her to be conscience with the size of the load.  If you charge a flat fee she can still do wash small loads and she can invite other folks over to do their laundry. 

Tell her she has no rights and it is available ONLY on your good will.  If the washer/dryer fail, you do not intend to fix or repair.  Also say in the same breath, Good to have you with us.

This is something I would bring up on principal. I would never just assume I could use something that didn't belong to me and wasn't included in my rental. 

Does her unit have washer dryer hookups? 

Does it make sense to have these be a pay-to-use washer dryer in the basement? Could they be repaired and be a cash flow generator for your property?