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December 4, 2007
Washer / dryer in brownstone rental
For those who rent out units in 2-4 family brownstones, do you provide washer / dryer for the tenants use? The building im working on doesnt really have room for a washer / dryer as they are all floor though units (in a narrow brownstone). What do you think?
Comments
I'm a renter, not an owner, but I can tell you one thing... laundry facilities were a MUST in my most recent move, and it was something I was willing to pay a premium for. Just something to keep in mind.
Posted by: rjlovie at December 4, 2007 3:55 PM
Although it would be nice to have in the unit, I think that at least having access to laundry somewhere is a huge plus. We have coin-op in the basement (and it's great) but I understand that many brownstone basements might not be suitable due to rickety stairs, low ceilings or dirt floors.
What about a stacking unit in a closet, or the connections for it, so the tenant can decide if they'd rather have a washer/dryer, or a closet?
Posted by: Heatherie at December 4, 2007 4:02 PM
Agree it's a nice thing to offer (as is a dishwasher), but we have 2 floor through tenants and don't provide a washer dryer. I'd guess most floor throughs (i.e. 1+ bedrooms) don't have them in brownstones. As long as there are laundrymats nearby, especially ones that wash and fold, and even deliver, most single people looking in brownstone brooklyn are willling to rent apartments without them. Of course, you could probably charge more if you have one, but you will still find many potential tenants without one, especially in floor throughs. If you are renting a large duplex, it's much more important to have one, in my opinion, since your market is families.
Posted by: guest at December 4, 2007 4:47 PM
I own a 4 story Brownstone in Bedstuy and its not an issue. The Laundrymat is close by. Word of advice washers in the apartment can lead to floods increase on water bill and some time cause problems with your pipes. I would more put it in the basement if you wish to do so. Don't worry you will still get tenants....
Posted by: guest at December 4, 2007 8:58 PM
more put it in the basement? grammar police alert.
Posted by: guest at December 4, 2007 11:43 PM
I rent a floorthru garden apt. in the South Slope that has a washer/dryer, and it has been a huge selling point both times we've had to look for new tenants. I can't say definitively that it commands a higher rent - but we've gotten our asking price both times very quickly with high quality tenants, with just one turnover in 6 years, and every month's rent paid on time. It's installed in the bathroom, and vented to the back of the building, which is definitely pushing it for length, however.
Posted by: guest at December 5, 2007 10:52 AM
We have a 3-family and everyone shares the washer/dryer in the basement. There hasn't been any conflict nor a spike in costs that their rent doesn't cover.
But, I did notice on my recent trip to London that everyone had a washer/dryer combo in their kitchens (instead of a dishwasher). Is anyone doing that here?
Posted by: guest at December 5, 2007 2:27 PM
We have a washer/dryer unit installed where you would generally have a dishwasher in our rental. The landlord gave us a choice when they needed to replace the old dishwasher. We jumped at the chance to have a clothes washer.
Posted by: guest at December 5, 2007 3:17 PM
My tenants do, but they have the lower floor and basement so it's easy.
Now my unit doesn't have laundry. Suppose I could ask my tenants to do it . . .
Posted by: Johnny at December 5, 2007 3:30 PM
Whatever you do, make sure you put in an electronic valve, which shuts the water when the washing machine is not in use. That way, if your washing machine hose should break when nobody is home, you will not have a huge flood. The new valve units also have a separate water sensor that rests on the floor, so if the hose breaks when the machine is in use, the valve will shut.
See:
https://www.wattswater.com/watts/showdetl.cfm?&DID=9&Product_ID=472&CATID=61
Posted by: guest at December 5, 2007 4:28 PM
I have a two family, rent out the garden floor, and just share the washer/dryer in the basement with my tenant, as does 2:27. The only time this became a problem was once many years ago when I saw a huge rise in the water bill during the same month that friends of the downstairs tenant seemed to be arriving frequently late at night with large duffel bags. When I realized he'd gone into the laundry business on my dime, I declined to renew his lease, found an honest tenant, and continued the arrangement with no further problems.
Posted by: guest at December 5, 2007 8:06 PM
2:27, I too noticed in London that there is a washer/dryer combo in the kitchen. The big difference is, in London renters pay for their water. At least the people I know in London pay for their own water.
To answer the q: When I rented 2 floor-thru's in a two-family, the garden apt. tenants had a washer and dryer because the previous owner left it. However it was with the express understanding that there was a premium on their rent due to the extra water and heat. The top floor tenants weren't allowed to have one - it was put in their lease. I didn't want to have to deal with ruined floors, walls, etc. if the washer malfunctioned.
Sandy
Posted by: guest at December 6, 2007 12:51 AM
Sorry Grammar police alert!!!!!!
Posted by: guest at December 6, 2007 2:03 PM
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