Is it tenant abuse?

We recently got a new set of tenants who seem like lovely people. However one of the perks of the house we rent is that there is a shared washer and dryer in the basement. They seem to do laundry every day since they moved in. At first what seemed like normal loads but now they wash four or five garments every day. That’s not even a quater load in our machine. I am perplexed about this behavior and do not know how to approach it. It would seem that in any common perspective anyone would wait to do a full load of laundry saving energy and efford.  My concern is oviously that they are running the machines everyday and using electricity and wear on them for what seems a really self centered and egotistical pattern. Any ideas of how I can address this behavior?

latalle

in Landlord 13 years and 8 months ago

10

Please log in, in order to post replies!

10 replies

Newest Oldest

restorationcontractor | 13 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5095 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4916 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "179166"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(21) "restorationcontractor"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Baq67F8/sTzUHPotbkHSHTq3u2mFo5/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(21) "restorationcontractor"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(16) "Larconst@aol.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(43) "http:///forums/users/restorationcontractor/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:03:32"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(22) "Restoration Contractor"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(179166)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I agree with Brooklynhome. It seems you are going a little bit overboard. You are checking on your washer/dryer at least 4-5 times a day to know they are doing this? How do you know it is them and possibly not some of the other tenants? As a landlord and having tenants who are as you said “lovely people”, who I assume pay the rent on time this should be the last of your concerns. Just wait for the inevitable day when you wind up with tenants who are not “lovely people”, don’t pay the rent, destroy your apartment, tie you up in housing court for months, and require bringing in the marshal to remove them, petty things like this will no longer be an issue. If I were you I would check with a housing attorney on the legality of possibly denying them access to the machines for not following “laundry etiquette” before I did so.

latalle | 13 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5094 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4926 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "179566"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "latalle"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BmTTwH9AMIH0mgu6Xi6wslhSi7lrhq."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "latalle"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "grand.masma@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(22) "/forums/users/latalle/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:42:15"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "latalle"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(179566)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

And thank you very much brooklyngirlwithbrownstone (1st reply in here) it was  the most reasonable and fair advice. I will follow it.

latalle | 13 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4923 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5097 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "179566"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "latalle"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BmTTwH9AMIH0mgu6Xi6wslhSi7lrhq."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "latalle"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "grand.masma@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(22) "/forums/users/latalle/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:42:15"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "latalle"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(179566)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

brooklynhome it is my business! I own the laundry and it is in my building. The laundry is not theirs but shared with the rest of the tennants as well as us the owners, If somebody is using the machine constantly on 3 or 4 garments it leaves less oppotunities for others to use it. Add in wear and tear plus water and energy spending I would think it is my business.

brooklynhome | 13 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5103 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5102 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "39397"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(12) "brooklynhome"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(12) "brooklynhome"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(28) "suzanne.pettypiece@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(27) "/forums/users/brooklynhome/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2009-10-20 18:16:59"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(12) "brooklynhome"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(39397)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I would like to gently suggest that it really is none of your business how many pieces of clothing they are doing in a load.  If you want to limit the number of times that they do laundry per week that is one thing but requiring that they adhere to your idea of what is environmentally sound gets a little too close for comfort.

slopemope | 13 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5097 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5104 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "161310"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "slopemope"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "slopemope"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "slopemope@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/slopemope/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:24:00"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "slopemope"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(161310)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I agree that part of it is the newness factor, and the novelty of having every piece of garment clean at any moment in time.  Also, don’t forget that after moving, its nice to clean all your clothes linens, and kitchenware for a fresh start. I’d give it two months since their move-in date, then onto the reasonableness talk.  Save your serious talk for something that’s really serious, don’t worry i don’t think they are taking advantage of you, just overjoyed at their new (seemingly free) resource.

brooklynbemused | 13 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4923 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5105 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "44432"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(15) "brooklynbemused"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bt063gqR.m7gzBr6KVuqltry3.MrR80"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(15) "brooklynbemused"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "sosorted@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(30) "/forums/users/brooklynbemused/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:34:11"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(15) "brooklynbemused"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(44432)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

You have used the words “abuse”, “self centered” and “egotistical”. That’s pretty strong stuff given that all they are doing is over using a washing machine! And if the use of it was part of their tenancy deal, it’s not even a perk – it’s just part of their deal. As others suggested, you can ask them to only run full loads and only use it at specific times. But, I’d be inclined to take a very deep breath before addressing this situation because it appears that your reaction is way out of proportion to the “crime”. If they really are “lovely people” you don’t want to alienate them at this early stage.

needmtg | 13 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5103 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5106 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "42472"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "needmtg"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "needmtg"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "cmurthi@seeinggreen.net"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(18) "/forums/users/cmu/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:51:22"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "needmtg"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(42472)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I’d just talk to them as rh & others suggest. Maybe they just don’t realize they’re being wasteful.

parkslopemom | 13 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5097 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5107 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "5394"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(12) "parkslopemom"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B8I4YLbH29z3Lhm/9CiwW3rDdDF.PY/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(12) "parkslopemom"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "MKRoelofs@aol.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(27) "/forums/users/parkslopemom/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:13:41"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(12) "parkslopemom"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(5394)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

We simply mutually agree on their laundry “day” (our tenants are allowed free use of the laundry facilities one day a week).  If they are only using the washer/dryer once a week, they will be doing full loads.  If they need to switch their day (going on a trip, etc), they can, as long as they let us know in advance.

rh | 13 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4923 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5108 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "3878"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(2) "rh"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BL48JCuNvr9CIMtn9XLzqcR6qYGkGS1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(2) "rh"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(22) "info@reclaimedhome.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(27) "https:www.reclaimedhome.com"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:12:47"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(2) "rh"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(3878)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I would take the environmental route with them. It’s wasteful to do anything but a full load. They are using up extra water, electric and gas, if it’s a gas dryer. Guilt them. That usually works. 😉

browngirlwithbrownstone | 13 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5103 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5109 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "178975"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(23) "browngirlwithbrownstone"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BdF4dTUdp4NKGqUH1wFWoWyBswo71T/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(23) "browngirlwithbrownstone"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "kourtney.boyd@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(65) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/browngirlwithbrownstone/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:03:30"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(23) "browngirlwithbrownstone"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(178975)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

It seems as if your new tenants are overly excited about having the use of a washer/dryer in their home and it is likely that this behavior will wear off once the thrill of the new apartment fades.  But if you don’t want to wait that long, and they are as lovely as you suggest, I think you should deal with this matter head on.  Explain to your tenants that there is “laundry etiquette” in your home; that in order to use the machine and in an effort to conserve water, energy and to preserve the machines they should only wash full loads.  It wouldn’t hurt to show them what a full load looks like.  Inform them if you find they are not following proper “laundry etiquette” that you will lower their rent by $25 (a number I just made up to cover the estimated cost of electricity and water usage for the pair for the month) and they will no longer be allowed to use the machine.