Landlord charges €1 per 15 mins on Washer & Dryer

RogerRabid

How unusual is this?

My landlord installed coin operated machines on the washing machine and dryer.
It takes two hours to wash clothes and two hours to dry them.

It adds up to 16 euro to wash and dry my clothes.

Seems a little beyond the pale when the laundrette down the road would prob do one large cycle for a tenner, right?

This website claims a washing machine costs a mere 13c an hour to run: https://purchase.ie/electric-appliances-cost-run

Am I missing something or is this plain extortion.

Heart Break Kid

A dry cleaner will do it plus iron for €8.00 per wash. I'd expect a similar or better service from your landlord. Who pays gor the electricity bills?

RogerRabid

The electricity is included in the rent, but we were told initially that it cost 3 euro to use the machines. This was expensive anyway, but it turns out to cost more than that.

Hitman3000

RogerRabid wrote:

The electricity is included in the rent, but we were told initially that it cost 3 euro to use the machines. This was expensive anyway, but it turns out to cost more than that.

Is there a laundrette near you? If so I suggest you use it.

RogerRabid

Yes, 10 minute walk away. I will use it for sure.

Browney7

The rental.standards act doesn't require it to be free;

"Washing machine, or access to a communal washing machine facility within the curtilage of the building"

The prices are taking the piss though

oppenheimer1

€16 to wash your clothes is nothing short of extortion.
If I were you, and if you had room I'd buy a washer dryer. A decent one can be picked up for €100 or less on adverts.

Addle

It's €2 for 15 mins using this service.
http://revolutionlaundry.ie/locations/

James 007

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

€16 to wash your clothes is nothing short of extortion.
If I were you, and if you had room I'd buy a washer dryer. A decent one can be picked up for €100 or less on adverts.

Thats a great idea, and he cant stop you from doing that, the only problem is to connecting it up. What type of a meter box is it.

wonski

Who charges washing clothes per minute???

As ridiculous as a restaurant charging per minute rather than per meal.

RogerRabid

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

€16 to wash your clothes is nothing short of extortion.
If I were you, and if you had room I'd buy a washer dryer. A decent one can be picked up for €100 or less on adverts.

This would indeed be a good solution - and I'd be within my rights surely. But it's owner occupied by couple and they'd get very bothered if they saw me bringing a Zanussi up the stairs. But wouldn't it be great! lol.

oppenheimer1

RogerRabid wrote: »

This would indeed be a good solution - and I'd be within my rights surely. But it's owner occupied by couple and they'd get very bothered if they saw me bringing a Zanussi up the stairs. But wouldn't it be great! lol.

Ah, it's yet another licensee shakedown. Unfortunately in your situation you have no rights.

In my opinion unless owner occupiers are unwilling to adhere to basic standards then the tax free exemption should be removed.

James 007

Just looking at the actual costs, 1 kwh = 20 cent at most.

Washing machine 1 kwh = 70-100mins = 40 cents for 2 hrs, say
Dryer 1 kwh = 20-40mins = 120 cents for 2 hrs, say

Approx. max cost = €1.60 for 2hrs each washer and dryer use

You are been robbed, I would confront them on this, and let there faces red up :mad:

YOU ARE ACTUALLY PAYING FOR ALL YOUR ELECTRICITY THROUGH USING THE WASHER AND DRYER

mel.b

Does the owner have a seperate washing machine & dryer for himself or does he need to pay as well?

alias no.9

mel.b wrote: »

Does the owner have a seperate washing machine & dryer for himself or does he need to pay as well?

Who do you think is emptying the coin box?

la ultima guagua

Option for when things start to get dirty :

http://revolutionlaundry.ie/about-us/

Claw Hammer

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

€16 to wash your clothes is nothing short of extortion.
If I were you, and if you had room I'd buy a washer dryer. A decent one can be picked up for €100 or less on adverts.

Washing machines have to be plumbed in. that will involve drilling through walls and floorboards. They always leak so can't be put on a wooden floor upstairs.
€100 would only buy a well battered one from done deal.

oppenheimer1

Claw Hammer wrote: »

Washing machines have to be plumbed in. that will involve drilling through walls and floorboards. They always leak so can't be put on a wooden floor upstairs.
€100 would only buy a well battered one from done deal.

I don't know where you put your washing machine so that it would require drilling, but most people put them where there is already a water supply and waste. Very easy to get slip over tap fittings to supply the water and have the outlet drain to the sink. It wouldn't take much DIY knowledge to plumb it in properly with a Y or vampire fitting under the sink and to connect the waste to the sink outlet as well. I've done it myself in a rental for a dishwasher.

€100 would get you one that's in reasonable nick for a rental.

oppenheimer1

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

Ah, it's yet another licensee shakedown. Unfortunately in your situation you have no rights.

In my opinion unless owner occupiers are unwilling to adhere to basic standards then the tax free exemption should be removed.

I would completely disagree. An owner occupier should be allowed to ask for anything they want and charge as much as they want for whatever they want. If you don't like it move out :rolleyes:

Also if I was renting a room and you tired to install a washing machine in my house you would be given about 5 mins to clear out your room and get out.

BelovedAunt

Mekhi Cuddly Minus wrote: »

I would completely disagree.

What a surprise.

BelovedAunt

BelovedAunt wrote: »

What a surprise.

Yeah what a surprise that I disagree with an owner occupiers rights over a property.

You do realise an owner occupier renting out a room is doing a favour for the person renting the room. They are nothing more than a guest in the property and should not even think about having any rights.

uck51js9zml2yt

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

€16 to wash your clothes is nothing short of extortion.
If I were you, and if you had room I'd buy a washer dryer. A decent one can be picked up for €100 or less on adverts.

Since when does it take 4 hours to wash/dry clothes.
About an hour to was and hour to dry. €8 maybe €10 at most.

wonski

Mekhi Cuddly Minus wrote: »

Yeah what a surprise that I disagree with an owner occupiers rights over a property.

You do realise an owner occupier renting out a room is doing a favour for the person renting the room. They are nothing more than a guest in the property and should not even think about having any rights.

Sure.

How dare they having a shower or a laundry???

A favour. Right.

oppenheimer1

Mekhi Cuddly Minus wrote: »

I would completely disagree. An owner occupier should be allowed to ask for anything they want and charge as much as they want for whatever they want. If you don't like it move out :rolleyes:

Also if I was renting a room and you tired to install a washing machine in my house you would be given about 5 mins to clear out your room and get out.

Nox taking the side of the landlord... quelle surprise :rolleyes:

5 minutes would be illegal, reasonable notice is required - since this is not a safety of life issue, most likely 7 day would be required, 24hrs minimum. I'd enjoy taking the civil case against yourself.

Mekhi Cuddly Minus wrote: »

Yeah what a surprise that I disagree with an owner occupiers rights over a property.

You do realise an owner occupier renting out a room is doing a favour for the person renting the room. They are nothing more than a guest in the property and should not even think about having any rights.

An owner occupier is doing no one a favour by renting out a room, they are selling a service. Owner occupiers obtain a substantial tax relief (which is at everyone elses expense) and although they are not at the moment, they should be subject to strict standards on what should be provided; what can and cannot be charged for and the rates of charging. In the OPs case €16 to wash and dry clothes is nothing short of gouging - the kind of behaviour you see from owner occupiers (OO) who do not want a licensee in their house but are rather fond of their money.

Its the OO that will lose out in the end anyway as that kind of BS leads to a high turnover of licensees. Even in todays tight market, most people who would take a room under such conditions would continue looking for a proper rental place. This is what I suggest the OP should do

nilescraneo

Mekhi Cuddly Minus wrote: »

Yeah what a surprise that I disagree with an owner occupiers rights over a property.

You do realise an owner occupier renting out a room is doing a favour for the person renting the room. They are nothing more than a guest in the property and should not even think about having any rights.

God, you're an absolute awful dose of a person, and I use the term person extremely lightly.

They aren't doing OP a favour either, s/he's paying money to live in the property and yet the landlords still see fit to fleece him/her with a ridiculous charge for this very basic amenity. I'm sure the landlord is claiming tax relief too, so is also fleecing the taxpayer.

the_syco

Braylee Fat Chair wrote: »

Since when does it take 4 hours to wash/dry clothes.
About an hour to was and hour to dry. €8 maybe €10 at most.

This is what I was thinking as well. Heck, it's almost as if the LL didn't want anyone using it, and only has it there to comply with legislation.

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

Nox taking the side of the landlord... quelle surprise :rolleyes:

Well, think about it. Where would they install it? In their ensuite? Where else would the waste water go? And no, they can't install it elsewhere, as it's rent-a-room.

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

5 minutes would be illegal, reasonable notice is required - since this is not a safety of life issue, most likely 7 day would be required, 24hrs minimum. I'd enjoy taking the civil case against yourself.

It's up to the landlord to say what's "reasonable", and finding that the licencee installed a washing machine without permission would be taking the piss. Heck; I'd file a civil suit against the tenant for the removal or the washing machine, and any repair to fix the plumbing.

wordofwarning

Mr.S wrote: »

I'm sorry what? They charge you for using your washing machine? Even if they cover the electricity costs, they can't do that.

Mr.S what statute or act states that? AFAIK the law clearly states that a tenant has to have access to a washing machine and a dryer. The law does not state that it has to be free. Even in the most tenant friendly countries in the world, the washing machines/ dryers are in the basement of the building and tenant pays for the use of them.

I would hazard a guess that the landlord is seriously pissed off with the fact they can no longer increase revenue on their properties ie the rent cap and is now looking for new avenues of revenue. Although having the cost so high, makes me think they just don't want their tenants to use the washing machine/dryer

nilescraneo

nilescraneo wrote: »

God, you're an absolute awful dose of a person, and I use the term person extremely lightly.

They aren't doing OP a favour either, s/he's paying money to live in the property and yet the landlords still see fit to fleece him/her with a ridiculous charge for this very basic amenity. I'm sure the landlord is claiming tax relief too, so is also fleecing the taxpayer.

While I don't agree that the op's owner occupier should be charging for washing (I think it's as unfair as anyone else) this is not a reason to open a discussion on changing the fact a room renter has zero rights or the fact an owner occupier renting a room has total control over their property. There is no landlord in this scenario you are using the term incorrectly.

It is the owners home and yes they are simply allowing a guest to stay and are entitled to remove the guest right to stay on a whim. I really have no idea how anyone thinks someone in this scenario should have any rights, people will just stop renting out rooms if that were to happen and even further reduce supply.

colm_mcm

Addle wrote: »

It's €2 for 15 mins using this service.
http://revolutionlaundry.ie/locations/

Doesn't take 2 hours though.

__..__

I just put on a wash this morning with the whole weeks washing in it and timed it after reading this thread.
The washing machine was finished in 25 mins including spin.
I'll time the dryer but I don't think I ever put a dryer on for more than 30 minutes ever in the past.

4 hours for a wash. That's just crazy.

I used to live in an apartment where the washing machine was in a shed outside. It was impossible to use it because Everytime you went down it was being used. A few people seemed to just out on washed non stop. The landlord put in a meter and charged €2 a wash and hey presto, you could finally use the washing machine because it wasn't used every hour of the day.

The Specialist

Mekhi Cuddly Minus wrote: »

While I don't agree that the op's owner occupier should be charging for washing (I think it's as unfair as anyone else) this is not a reason to open a discussion on changing the fact a room renter has zero rights or the fact an owner occupier renting a room has total control over their property. There is no landlord in this scenario you are using the term incorrectly.

It is the owners home and yes they are simply allowing a guest to stay and are entitled to remove the guest right to stay on a whim. I really have no idea how anyone thinks someone in this scenario should have any rights, people will just stop renting out rooms if that were to happen and even further reduce supply.

I'd rather sleep on the street than rent a room with the likes of you. Your attitude is absolutely disgusting.

steddyeddy

Sounds like a landlord in Bray a student reported to UCD accomadation.

It's a rip off.

James 007

Mr.S wrote: »

True, got that wrong - amazed that's legal. Charging for use of a washing machine or dryer is insane. Why bother including bills in the rent then, if cost is an issue?

OP just buy your own washing machine out of spite

Including bills in the rent is usually a trap to compensate for poor location, if a tenant sees a place for reasonable rent and were told to put in €2 coin to wash/dry their clothes they usually may jump with it. Putting one wash on once a week equates to an additional €70 approx. per month onto their actual rent. A vunerable tenant has fallen into this trap by not asking the right question: How much is it to wash and dry the clothes in one cycle. I would be interesting to know what rent are they paying, location and the type of room too.

__..__

__..__ wrote: »

I just put on a wash this morning with the whole weeks washing in it and timed it after reading this thread.
The washing machine was finished in 25 mins including spin.
I'll time the dryer but I don't think I ever put a dryer on for more than 30 minutes ever in the past.

4 hours for a wash. That's just crazy.

I used to live in an apartment where the washing machine was in a shed outside. It was impossible to use it because Everytime you went down it was being used. A few people seemed to just out on washed non stop. The landlord put in a meter and charged €2 a wash and hey presto, you could finally use the washing machine because it wasn't used every hour of the day.

It's people selecting hot washes and really long cycles that takes so long, it was very annoying when house mates used to do this for every wash. I wash every thing at 30 degrees and do a rinse and spin after overall takes about 30 mins or so. Nothing worse than people using really long cycles and pushing up the esb bill.

The Specialist wrote: »

I'd rather sleep on the street than rent a room with the likes of you. Your attitude is absolutely disgusting.

My attitude is exactly the same as any owner occupier would have. Their house and their rules simple as that. Look at any thread here relating to rent a room and you will see that's how it should and does work.

I already said I think it's over the top charging so much for washing but the options are pay it, bring stuff to a laundrette, bring your washing home at the weekend or move.

alias no.9

Given this is a rent a room scenario...

If the landlord owner is charging a rent that's equivalent to the max allowed to still avail of tax relief, any money collected from the washer / drier would put them over the threshold and make them liable for tax on the rental income in its entirety...

_Dara_

alias no.9 wrote: »

Given this is a rent a room scenario...

If the landlord owner is charging a rent that's equivalent to the max allowed to still avail of tax relief, any money collected from the washer / drier would put them over the threshold and make them liable for tax on the rental income in its entirety...

True but rent a room relief works out at around €1160 per month so if only one room is being rented out, I doubt they’d be anywhere near the threshold, especially as lodger rents tend to be lower.

alias no.9

_Dara_ wrote: »

True but rent a room relief works out at around €1160 per month so if only one room is being rented out, I doubt they’d be anywhere near the threshold, especially as lodger rents tend to be lower.

A coin operated washing machine doesn't really tally with only renting out a single room, I'd be surprised if there are less than 3 lodgers

Pawwed Rig

Braylee Fat Chair wrote: »

Since when does it take 4 hours to wash/dry clothes.
About an hour to was and hour to dry. €8 maybe €10 at most.

Some of the cycles on my washing machine take more than 4 hours. The dryer can take a couple of hours on a large load too.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

OP, €1 per 15 minutes is a little on the steep side. Take your laundry elsewhere if it's possible.

We have a really poor outlook on property & rentals in Ireland. If only we could adopt some of the standards and practices from our European neighbors.

Mr.S wrote: »

I'm sorry what? They charge you for using your washing machine? Even if they cover the electricity costs, they can't do that.

Who say's they can't do that? It looks like a lot of people are agreeing with your false information.

Mekhi Cuddly Minus wrote: »

Also if I was renting a room and you tired to install a washing machine in my house you would be given about 5 mins to clear out your room and get out.

Why? What's so terrible about your tenant installing a washing machine? Seems like a bit of an over reaction. You are obliged to give sufficient time to your "guest". Thinking you can do whatever you want and get away with it, is not entirely correct.

Mekhi Cuddly Minus wrote: »

You do realise an owner occupier renting out a room is doing a favour for the person renting the room.

Nonsensical rubbish. There's no such thing as a favor in this situation.

FizzleSticks wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Based on your single piece of anecdotal evidence, they are all stingy odd balls? :rolleyes:

Technocentral

wonski wrote:

Who charges washing clothes per minute???

Only Irish Landlords.

DoozerT6

My 40 deg wash cycle takes one hour (granted, my machine is about 15 years old at this stage) with the option of a 45min 'fast wash'.

My 60 deg wash cycle, which I only use for sheets etc, takes two hours.

Maybe I'm just old fashioned, but can clothes really be clean after a 25 minute wash, especially if actually stained/dirty? What about underwear?....Can a modern machine cycle really properly wash clothes in half the time of an older machine? Genuine query.

With regards to the OP's query - maybe I missed it on thread, but is that even legal?? It seems like a genuinely extortionate amount of money. There is NO WAY a washer or drier uses that amount of electricity during a cycle. Yer man is pulling a swifty imo.

__..__

DoozerT6 wrote: »

My 40 deg wash cycle takes one hour (granted, my machine is about 15 years old at this stage) with the option of a 45min 'fast wash'.

My 60 deg wash cycle, which I only use for sheets etc, takes two hours.

Maybe I'm just old fashioned, but can clothes really be clean after a 25 minute wash, especially if actually stained/dirty? What about underwear?....Can a modern machine cycle really properly wash clothes in half the time of an older machine? Genuine query.

With regards to the OP's query - maybe I missed it on thread, but is that even legal?? It seems like a genuinely extortionate amount of money. There is NO WAY a washer or drier uses that amount of electricity during a cycle. Yer man is pulling a swifty imo.

Less time and less water too.

Markcheese

RogerRabid wrote:

This would indeed be a good solution - and I'd be within my rights surely. But it's owner occupied by couple and they'd get very bothered if they saw me bringing a Zanussi up the stairs. But wouldn't it be great! lol.

Laundrette so... The cheeky b'stards

Paulw

Mod Warning -
Keep the comments constructive. Any more smart comments will result in cards/bans.

DoozerT6

DoozerT6 wrote: »

My 40 deg wash cycle takes one hour (granted, my machine is about 15 years old at this stage) with the option of a 45min 'fast wash'.

My 60 deg wash cycle, which I only use for sheets etc, takes two hours.

Maybe I'm just old fashioned, but can clothes really be clean after a 25 minute wash, especially if actually stained/dirty? What about underwear?....Can a modern machine cycle really properly wash clothes in half the time of an older machine? Genuine query.

With regards to the OP's query - maybe I missed it on thread, but is that even legal?? It seems like a genuinely extortionate amount of money. There is NO WAY a washer or drier uses that amount of electricity during a cycle. Yer man is pulling a swifty imo.

I wash everything on the 30 degree quick wash which takes 15 mins on the newer machine at home and about 20 mins where I'm renting. Followed by a rinse and spin so overall takes about 30 mins to do a wash. I see no need for the hot washes, waste of electricity and only damage what your washing.

steddyeddy

Mekhi Cuddly Minus wrote: »

I wash everything on the 30 degree quick wash which takes 15 mins on the newer machine at home and about 20 mins where I'm renting. Followed by a rinse and spin so overall takes about 30 mins to do a wash. I see no need for the hot washes, waste of electricity and only damage what your washing.

Nox on several posts on here you said you give washing to your mother to wash. You previously said you weren't sure which cycle to use. It's hard to take you seriously if you change your story.

steddyeddy

steddyeddy wrote: »

Nox on several posts on here you said you give washing to your mother to wash. You previously said you weren't sure which cycle to use. It's hard to take you seriously if you change your story.

I do give her washing if I'm home but she also uses the 30 degree wash for everything. I never said I wasn't able to operate the machine though you are mistaken there, I do washes myself also.

steddyeddy

Mekhi Cuddly Minus wrote: »

I do give her washing if I'm home but she also uses the 30 degree wash for everything. I never said I wasn't able to operate the machine though you are mistaken there, I do washes myself also.

Hmm. I don't find that credible or in line with your previous posts.

OP was the flat advertised as owner occupied and is the LL registered as such?

Claw Hammer

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

I don't know where you put your washing machine so that it would require drilling, but most people put them where there is already a water supply and waste. Very easy to get slip over tap fittings to supply the water and have the outlet drain to the sink. It wouldn't take much DIY knowledge to plumb it in properly with a Y or vampire fitting under the sink and to connect the waste to the sink outlet as well. I've done it myself in a rental for a dishwasher.

€100 would get you one that's in reasonable nick for a rental.

Washing machines need a power supply, a water supply and a waste outlet. The op would have to have a sink in his bedroom to source incoming water. He would have to modify the drainage for the sink. He will also be causing leaks on the floor of his room.
If there is no sink drilling will be necessary.

tedpan

colm_mcm wrote:

Doesn't take 2 hours though.

If it takes 1 hour, it will work out the same cost as the OP has to pay at home.

Still unbelievable..

alias no.9

Mekhi Cuddly Minus wrote: »

I wash everything on the 30 degree quick wash which takes 15 mins on the newer machine at home and about 20 mins where I'm renting. Followed by a rinse and spin so overall takes about 30 mins to do a wash. I see no need for the hot washes, waste of electricity and only damage what your washing.

Your machine may have a fast wash setting but I'd hazard a guess it's designed for a partial load. We've an 8kg rated machine but according to the manual, the 30 minute fast wash should only be used for loads up to 2kg and that's pretty typical.