Drying clothes outside?

Burti16

Hi

I live in a housing estate/gated community where there are apartments and duplex houses. I wanted to dry my clothes in my private porch and got a letter from management company saying this is not allowed.

I'm OK with it and never did the same thing again but I'm just wondering if a management company legally force people to dry clothes indoors?

PSFarrell

In complexes management conpanies set their own rules regarding this. Where I live now there is no drying on balconies but there is a court yard where you can. Most places don't allow it from what ive seen.

Caranica

When you buy/rent in a managed development you are given a copy of the development rules. If you don't like them you don't move there. Chances are your porch is management company property that you have exclusive access to.

C3PO

I often wonder what would happen to someone who ignores these sort of rules? Would the Management Co take you to court?

Sierra Oscar

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119656530#Comment_119656530

Ultimately they could do, but a lot of owners management companies have implemented fine systems to deal with breaches of 'house rules' such as these.

People can ignore the fines, but the owners management company usually has the last laugh by refusing to process the requisition request when an owner goes to sell until all service fees and fines are paid off (potentially with an interest penalty included).

In saying that, having to resort to the heavy handedness of fines doesn't usually arise.

Yellow_Fern

It is such a mad backward rule to ban drying clothes outdoors.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119660440#Comment_119660440

Definitely, tumble drying is so energy intensive, and absolute snobbery at bottom, can't be looking like council flats.

Could be a condition on new builds to allow outside drying; I'm sure the issue has been raised before, must have a Google.

In this case though, rules is rules, and I don't imagine there is huge support for the above outlook in private developments.

sudocremegg

We have the same policy but I do it on the balcony anyway. Absolutely ridiculous rule. It's either that or I mold up the place by drying indoors with a clothes horse.

blackbox

It can make an apartment block look shabby if there are lots of clothes hanging on balconies, but I do agree it is the best way to dry clothes. They should provide an internal courtyard for this.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119660440#Comment_119660440

You should see the HOA rules many American have to obey.

Burti16

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119660440#Comment_119660440

Totally agreed. Using tumble dryer two times a week consumes between 55-60 kwh a month.

MrMusician18

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119660494#Comment_119660494

Ditto, but I've screened my balcony so that it's not visible from the ground. I think that's a reasonable compromise.

LunaLoo

Actually read an article somewhere where there was a draft bill being done up to stop management companies being allowed to stop you drying clothes on balconies. I think if a clothes horse is being used it should be fine but not across balcony railings iykwim

Burt Renaults

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119656530#Comment_119656530

I used to rent an apartment in an ugly Celtic Tiger development, and always dried clothes on the balcony. I used a clothes horse, which was barely visible from outside. They bombarded me (and presumably all the other residents who did the same) with passive-aggressive letters, and ratted me out to my landlord. He was delighted that I wasn't drying clothes inside, and advised me to throw the letters in the bin.

It'd be different if the building itself had some aesthetic value and wasn't a hideous blot on the landscape.

Jmc25

In my experience that rule is rarely enforced, and the "enforcement" basically entails writing to owners and asking nicely that they comply.

Even in cases of extreme antisocial behaviour, management companies are somewhat toothless and any power they do have involves going to court, which understandably is used sparingly and as a last resort.

ballyharpat

if the others are not doing it, I'd assume it's being enforced.

But..... there was an article in the saying that they are stopping management companies preventing this as well as preventing management companies preventing occupiers having pets.

https://www.todayfm.com/podcasts/the-last-word-with-matt-cooper/new-bill-would-allow-tenants-to-keep-pets-in-their-apartments-and-dry-their-clothes-on-the-balcony?fbclid=IwAR3VU9rgMUla-CchCMZYR648ROvqHrymW5HnTHBX8k7YHnXrgw-XK1vnv6c

Caranica

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119662874#Comment_119662874

Just because a bill is introduced it doesn't mean it will be passed. All legislation that's not passed falls at the next election anyway, it's why the legislation on leylandii has never been passed.

ballyharpat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119662893#Comment_119662893

This bill has more reasons to be passed and effects more people. But anyway-It's a bill that 'likely' will be passed, soon, in my opinion.

Caranica

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119662956#Comment_119662956

I disagree. Dogs in a high density development can be a nightmare. As for drying clothes outside, like satellite dishes that should be banned from the front of buildings.

ballyharpat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119663697#Comment_119663697

cool - I own a rental aprtment, I dont think its fair on the residents-as for dogs-majority are better than children in rental properties, but that's just my experience.

Princess Calla

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119660582#Comment_119660582

We have the dryer on a plug they measures kWh

I've done 4 washes today and it's only registering 7 kWh.

I've done 44 washes this month (washing machine sends notification to phone when it's finished) and the dryer plug is measuring 73.6 kWh. I'd say 5 of those 44 washes went out on the line.

Usually each wash uses up 2kWh.

Caranica

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119663750#Comment_119663750

Kids can generally only be heard by immediate neighbours. Dogs barking can disturb so many more units, especially if left on balconies or in common areas.

Satellite dishes on fronts of buildings require planning permission. So should washing.

MakersMark

If you consider that non-paying tenants can live in an apartment for 3 years before they're evicted, what do you think the consequences are are for drying your laundry on your balcony?

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058264528/drying-clothes-outside

I'd say write back to them and tell them not to be getting their knickers in a twist. And that you'll have Eamon Ryan onto them in jig time. That should do it.

Caranica

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119663870#Comment_119663870

Consequences are for the unit owner. They are responsible for ensuring their tenants comply with development rules

Pissy Missy

I would rather dry my clothes inside on a clothes horse, can't be dealing with the consequences of having them outside where insects get in them, where it rains unpredictably and bird poop finds its way on them, leading to them getting washed again

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119663697#Comment_119663697

Why should they be banned at all? Housing is for residents, not for aesthetic pleasure of people passing by.

ballyharpat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119663797#Comment_119663797

really, I'm not debating this with you, there are laws regarding dogs that are a lot easier to enforce than laws regarding children-kids running in hallways etc-who can you call? seriously? Whereas with dogs, a loud/barking dog can be removed by the warden, or a dog off the leash-I've plenty of experience in dealing with them all, youre welcome to your opinions, but I klnow from experience which I prefer-but I'm a landlord that tries to get the best tenants possible and have a good relationship with them while ensuring I get some income-I can tell tenants what is and isnt acceptable for a dog, I cannot do that for children, as there are too many different 'parenting styles' and no legislation-good luck.

Quantum Erasure

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119663797#Comment_119663797

>Satellite dishes on fronts of buildings require planning permission. So should washing.

:rolleyes:

Caranica

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119664180#Comment_119664180

It's ultimately to do with property values. Management company is tasked with acting in the best interests of all members. Protecting property values is among top priorities

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119664395#Comment_119664395

I’m still not sure what sanction an OMC could impose on owners who ignore the policy though. Tenants are in a different situation as the OMC can lean on the owner, who in turn would remind the tenant that they have to abide by the OMC rules. But if the owner-LL ignores this, or an owner occupier does likewise, what can an OMC do?