Tenant wants a Washer Dryer?

pinklady21

Hi everyone
Interested in what folks think about this one.
I have a fairly new tenant. Overall she seems quite happy with the flat. However she has asked that I replace the washing machine (working fine and quite new) with a washer dryer.
Reason is that with cold weather laundry takes a while to dry and she doesn't want laundry drying in the flat.
There is a separate drying room available which is shared with one neighbour, but she says laundry is taking too long to dry in there and the neighbour's laundry smells!

My thoughts - I don't really wish to change the washing machine. I would consider buying a separate tumble dryer and install it in the flat for her.

However, would be interested in hearing what people think.
Seems to me the options are:

1. Do nothing and risk upsetting the tenant.
2. Buy a new tumble dryer and arrange for installation.
3. Offer an amount (say around £100) contribution to tenant to purchase her own tumble dryer which she can take with her when she leaves.

Thoughts?
Thanks!

Lokolo

I think 3 would be a good start.

What length contract do they have? You could go with #2 but say "Only if you sign an additional 6 months on the contract"

theartfullodger

Offer to let her end tenancy early, otherwise no change.

HappyMJ

pinklady21 wrote: »

Hi everyone
Interested in what folks think about this one.
I have a fairly new tenant. Overall she seems quite happy with the flat. However she has asked that I replace the washing machine (working fine and quite new) with a washer dryer.
Reason is that with cold weather laundry takes a while to dry and she doesn't want laundry drying in the flat.
There is a separate drying room available which is shared with one neighbour, but she says laundry is taking too long to dry in there and the neighbour's laundry smells!

My thoughts - I don't really wish to change the washing machine. I would consider buying a separate tumble dryer and install it in the flat for her.

However, would be interested in hearing what people think.
Seems to me the options are:

1. Do nothing and risk upsetting the tenant.
2. Buy a new tumble dryer and arrange for installation.
3. Offer an amount (say around £100) contribution to tenant to purchase her own tumble dryer which she can take with her when she leaves.

Thoughts?
Thanks!

1. Do nothing...

The current machine works....and....You have a drying room available for the tenant. The tenant signed knowing that only a washing machine existed...

If the tenant wants a washer dryer (which I personally do not like due to their limited drying capacity and they are expensive to run) then the tenant can source one themselves.

BitterAndTwisted

You are under absolutely no obligation to supply a washer/dryer. The property came with a washing-machine and she accepted the tenancy on that basis. What arrangements she chooses to make to dry her laundry is her own affair. I suspect if you give in to this demand there will be yet another one around the corner.

HOWEVER, you have to balance the risk of not giving in to her wishes against the possibility of damage being caused to the property by condensation and mould if she chooses to dry laundry indoors instead of using a perfectly decent drying-room.

Is there anywhere convenient to install a tumble-dryer? If you don't want to get into a dispute with the tenant I think your option 3 would be the most sensible. That way, you don't have any responsibility for repair or replacement when or if it becomes faulty.

Innys1

What you do largely depends on how buoyant the rental market is in the immediate area.

She took the flat as is. If she wanted a washer/dryer, she should have rented somewhere else.

If she insists, I would agree to her request, but only on condition the rent goes up to reflect the new appliance - after all, there's nothing wrong with what's there. How much the rent is depends on negotiation.

If you just give her what she wants without a contribution from her, stand by for a request for a new fridge next week, then a new cooker, then a new oven, then a new bed - I think you get the idea.

I certainly wouldn't go with your 3rd option.

Mallotum_X

Id go with do nothing too, there is a drying room, so no real issue. If she wants one allow her to get one, but insist that she does not start drilling holes in the walls for the vent, but to get a long enough flexi vent to vent it out of an open window.

However how strong is the rental market where you are.

pinklady21

Thanks for the prompt responses - the flat is on a six month initial short assured tenancy (Scotland) and then running month to month thereafter.

Personally I do not like tumble dryers due to the large energy consumption, which I why I did not supply one in the rental property. I don't have one in my own home either.

The tenant didn't ask about a tumble dryer when viewing the flat and there are adequate arrangements for drying laundry. I think the previous tenants bought their own tumble dryer without even consulting me about it.

I am inclined to say no to the request for a washer dryer, I think....

chanz4

Tell her to buy her own

pinklady21

As for the rental market here - I advertised the flat a few weeks ago and had over 20 responses in the first afternoon!
I have no doubt I could find another tenant very quickly, however not sure I really want the hassle of that.
On the other hand..... I don't really want to provide an additional appliance at this stage either. But I am mindful of potential issue of mould growth with drying laundry indoors, and don't want to have to deal with that one either!

Who said renting property was fun!!

aliasojo

I'm a tenant and I think she's got a damned cheek. :rotfl:

I'd refuse the combined machine idea, if one part breaks the other part is out of action too. As well as the fact there is nothing wrong with the machine that's there.

I'd also not be giving her money to buy a dryer.

I'd consider installing one myself if there is a serious risk of damp issues stemming from drying washing indoors. But if this is just her preference, then this is down to her. It's her desire so she should pay. Imo.