Add'l Rent for W/D?
Our tenant is requesting that we add a W/D to his apartment. How much additional rent would be reasonable to charge? Hook-ups are already there, we just need to order and install it. They pay for electricity, but we still pay for gas until we convert over a meter. Also, do you think it is…
Our tenant is requesting that we add a W/D to his apartment. How much additional rent would be reasonable to charge? Hook-ups are already there, we just need to order and install it. They pay for electricity, but we still pay for gas until we convert over a meter.
Also, do you think it is OK to have tenant pay for W/D and we will deduct a monthly amount off their rent? We are strapped for cash at this time.
I constantly run my gas dryer – 4-5 a week and I say it costs about $30 a month.
Impossible!
5 /week = 20 times a month x 1 hour x 20kbtu = 400kbtu = 4 therms x 1.60 = **$6.40** . Plus tax.
I don’t have a w/d in my apt, but I have to admit, I’d be doing a helluva lot of laundry if I did. Be sure to pad on fees for water bill increases. It’s like having napkins available to take at will at a fast food place as opposed to giving the patron one or two…many people will use/take as much as they can and not think twice about it. Imagine very small loads that waste water, etc. You state that you want to provide this amenity, but also be sure to think about the new responsibility you are taking on…having to pay for repairs if/when it breaks down, possibilities of leaks and what it could do to the floors, etc. If you are ready for that, bless you for giving your tenants a w/d!
Sorry I wanted to add – I did see my water bill go up about an extra $40 when I installed my washing machine so you need to take that into consideration also.
dont tell your tenant that you can’t afford it, just say no. or yes, depending on what you decide. am i the only one who things that washer and driers inside of an apartment are icky? why would you want your apartment smelling like a laundromat!? growing up we had our washer and drier in our kitchen in my of our apartments and it was just seriously gross.
*rob*
If you do this – check your insurance policy for flood insurance (especially if they are on the upper floors).
I constantly run my gas dryer – 4-5 a week and I say it costs about $30 a month.
Yeah, let the tennants buy it themselvs and have it installed by a professional.
Better yet, let them buy the washer, and then put a clothesline up in the backyard………..
I’d put coin-operated units in the basement. Still convenient for the tenant (cheaper and easier than schlepping to the laudromat), a small revenue source for the landlord, and less risk of damage to the apartment. Everyone is a winner.
Why don’t you tell them to buy it themselves and have it installed professionally (i.e. Home Depot, Best Buy, etc.). That price will be included with their purchase, delivery, and setup. If the issue is taking it with them when they leave…say not my issue, your issue. I say the gas and water costs will be nominal as stated above because of the Energy Star applicances today, but I would say you would require they purchase HE and Energy Star units. Then, if you renew the lease…pick up the $25-50 next lease. Everybody happy.
While this isn’t a rent stabilized apartment, I generally find the RGB rules a good place to start. In this case I would add at least one fortieth of the cost of buying and installing the applicances to the monthly rent. In addition, I would add $10 per month to cover any additional costs to you the landlord, such as water, gas to heat water, and gas to run the dryer if it’s gas. If the tenant ends up paying for their own gas, you’ll need to adjust the rent to reflect that.