How to safely store a washing machine in a shed?

bugzie92

Hello,
We are moving into a new house and the LL is keeping their (very old) washing machine there, the agent said because they have no where to store it! We want to use our own and the agent has told us to "put it in the shed". Now I'm concerned that storing it in the shed will damage it and by the time we move (probably a few years) it won't work anymore and we will get charged for it. How is the best way to store it to prevent it breaking? What should we wrap it up in? We are not thrilled we have to store it but there is nothing we can do.

Aylesbury_Duck

Be careful. I assume you're taking on the responsibility for disconnecting it and moving it to the shed as well. Although it's a simple job, it would be very easy for the landlord to claim you've damaged it during disconnection, transit or storage. And very easy to genuinely damage it as well!

I'd go back to the agent and say that the landlord should arrange for it to be disconnected and collected. One lever you might have is to find the instructions online where they will probably tell you to insert the drum bolts before moving it. I bet the LL doesn't have them any more so you can say that you don't want to risk moving it without them.

If you do agree to store it, make sure it's off the ground so that the metal casing doesn't rust, that the inlet and waste pipes are empty of water and that as much water is taken out of the machine as possible. You'll probably only manage the last task by tipping the machine to empty it thoroughly.

stator

Off the ground and keep chemical dehumidifiers in the shed

bugzie92

Anyone know how I can keep it of the ground? Shall I wrap it in plastic?

molerat

Wooden blocks / bricks with a piece of thick plastic / dpc on top of the blocks. Cover in plastic but ensure there is airflow around it. Mouse traps may also be a good idea (they love the rubber hoses) !

shaun_from_Africa

Unless there is something in your rental contract about the landlord keeping the machine there, I would suggest that you speak to the agent and get them to contact the owner and insist that they remove it.

Why should you be responsible for moving it and possibly be held liable for any damage that may occur?
However well you protect it in the shed, there is always the chance of damage by rodents or frost or just the act of moving it may be enough to knock something loose as it's very old.

stator

Put a table cloth over it and use it as a dining room table

EachPenny

If you have the instruction manual (or can download one) check to see what the instructions say (if anything) about storage.

If the manual doesn't help then follow the advice above.

The easiest way of draining any remaining water is to locate the access for the pump filter (most machines have it on the front near the bottom) and follow the instructions for removing the filter. You might find it best to do this once the machine is outside as water may flood out. The filter is usually in the pump sump which is the lowest part of the machine.

After fully draining leave the door open for a day or two to let any residual moisture evaporate.

If it is in a dry shed then I wouldn't use plastic to wrap it. This could trap moisture inside. An old bed sheet will keep the worst of the dust and dirt off the machine and is breathable.

bugzie92

.............;

Norman_Castle

Ask the letting agent to put their instruction in writing.

Aylesbury_Duck

There might be another angle to this.

OP, are you taking the lease as unfurnished/part furnished/fully furnished, etc? Do the other white goods come as part of the rental? If so, it would seem that the OP is electing to use their own machine. Nothing wrong with that, but why should the LL incur the costs for disconnecting and removing his own machine that he supplied as part of the property?