Sponsor wants to illegally install washer

I’ve been blown away by the lack of professionalism by the developer that sold us our new construction condo 2 months ago. I could write for hours about why, but the most recent concern is the washer/dryer.

The building is new construction and the 4 current owners (my unit and 3 others) were promised washer-ready utility closets. We’ve all ordered our washing machines, and each installation pro has informed us that the water pipes were installed, but there isn’t proper drainage.

The sponsor has informed us that despite what we were told and what has been expressed in documents, the main condo plan was never approved for washers. He is encouraging us to allow him to install them without approval from the City. According to him, it’s in our best interest because the City might not allow us to put them in our utility closet, and they might end up in the living room.

His preferred solution is to connect the washer drain to our hot water heater drain. He said he is prepared to “go above and beyond” and drill new drains though (all off of the record). My immediate oppositio n is due to money – I paid for a washer ready apt and I want to sell a washer ready apt when the time comes. I do not want a savvy buyer to call out my rigged setup. I also assume that insurance will take issue with this if one of the 4 units ever flood. I have found problems with his preliminary plan, which include that he was not going to vent the drain from the roof, which I’ve learned can cause a similar drain effect to turning a full water jug upside (clug, clug, clug, clug).

I do not trust these people at all. There are a number of reasons why. Can anyone chime in with some good advice to take back to our next conversation?

agmcmullen

in General Discussion 8 years and 11 months ago

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slopefarm | 8 years and 11 months ago

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resident2 — the issue could be not reading the condo plan, or it could be that the plans filed with DOB did not comport with what was represented to buyers. I would not let the owner off the legal hook without kicking the tires a little harder. OTOH, what are the damages for this — what is the difference in value between the condo with legal w/d in closet vs this one.

resident2 | 8 years and 11 months ago

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“The sponsor has informed us that despite what we were told and what has been said the main condo plan was never approved for washers. ”
It seems to me that you have a case against your attorney and your Broker for not reading the condo plan.
I agree with you that it does sound like your sponsor is an idiot because any experienced sponsor would never get involved in providing something that was never approved in the original condo plan or DOB plans.

EJR | 8 years and 11 months ago

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ventless stacked washer/dryer combo seems like the best solution and is very common in apartment living. I agree that the drainage issue does not seem like a major issue. Something like this: http://www.bosch-home.com/us/products/compact-laundry.html

cmu | 8 years and 11 months ago

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you could get a ventless dryer or a washer/dryer combo

mozeeatupu | 8 years and 11 months ago

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Electric dryers require vents also

eman134 | 8 years and 11 months ago

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i would be more worried about the dryer…if it is gas fired you may well not have a legal dryer vent meaning that you will be spewing carbon monoxide into your living space. Electric dryer not too much of a problem

cmu | 8 years and 11 months ago

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You might want to get another opinion. Firstly, in-wall vents are completely efficacious and used everwhere except NYC, and I believe they are to-code now. Secondly, a washer drain is not rocket science, it can even drain into a laundry sink. I doubt any buyer would call out a “rigged setup”…you’ve been absorbing too much Trump ;).