Is my landlord ripping me off?

Samuel

I operate an property agency. A such our organization fields questions from Landlords on such matters on a regular basis.

I would say that this is not an unusual or particularly unreasonable figure for a machine with in a laundry room, although on the high side.

If this was billed for a machine in your own apartment I would most certainly say this was unusual however as it is a laundry room a charge is very much standard.

The management company for the building will have an operating cost for the machinery, they will ensure they are in working order and will be paying the electricity on this.

It is an optional service at the end of the day, and you can look else where.

In conclusion I do not feel the landlord is being unfair. However this is not to say it is not worth asking if there is anything he can do. I would not approach the conversation on the water costs, just the cost as a whole. If you are going to be using a lot is there any deal he can do for you? type angle. In my view it is alwasy best to pick your battles with the Landlord and work hard to keep them onside for the bigger issues that will may arise.

Regards

http://www.onpulseproperty.com

JULIE A

No you're using his machine so he has a right to charge you for it. just like if you were renting the washer and dryer from rent a center.

trujo

1.75 is A LOT! My landlord is a dollar for washer, and 50 cents for dryer and I still complain about that. You are getting charged for water too if you have to turn the valve from your own apt. He sounds like a real cheap-***. I would just go to a laundry mat and pay half of that.

tastes like vanilla

sounds stupid. you might as well go to a laundry mat. i've never heard of this either. your landlord shouldn't be getting your money for the water bill anyway. that goes to the city. but it seems like he is charging you to use the machine as well as to use your own water. so, it sounds like you are paying two fees. i'd go elsewhere to do my laundry.

Rayvin

The 1.75 is probably for the wear and tear on equipment. Try a laundramat u'll probably find it more expensive.

Sweet Dreams

idk.. the whole cutting your
water on in your apartment sounds
like a rip to me.. sounds like
youre just getting fckd dry
with no reach around..

Pretty Girl

i know of some complexes that use the washer and dryer and you have to pay.. may be for the company that brings them into the complex

Jaden's Mommy

Yes, he is ripping you off..you shouldn't be paying for both. If that's the case, then you should just pay the utilities and he should go out and buy a washer/dryer that does not require money.

EDIT- My mom had a landlord that connected his electricity and water to ours so that he wouldn't be paying for his, we would be(he didn't even tell us). The rent was $900 + no utilities included. We were paying about $1,400 a month. We left there long ago.

kwflamingo

I've never heard of such a system. Are you sure you are turning the water on for your apartment? But, if that's the way the system is, you are paying your landlord for the convenience of on-site laundry and wear-and-tear on the machines.

Lalaland91

ive never heard of 1.75 per machine...he is def. rippin you off...

have you seen what the local laudry mats charge.? if they are cheaper i suggest going there instead...but make sure it is close if not then you will be wasting money for gas..

Baloneyus_Monk

Are you saying that the laundry room uses *your apartment's water* for everyone and you are paying for it separately on the water bill? If that's the case, it sounds bad.

I live near Los Angeles. I have rented apartments for 30 years. Never heard of this system.

halo_on

I pay 75 cents to wash and 50 cents to dry. The water isn't mine either. The apartment provides the water. The only time you have to pay 25 cents more to wash ($1) is if you need hot water for whites, etc etc.

So yes, you're getting ripped off.

Tammmms

Yes, you are double paying. No, he's not ripping you off because he isn't obligated to supply a washer and dryer for you. Is he cheap? maybe. But, he is in a money making business...completely normal.

wisdomtoothless

I've never heard of that. I'd be pretty pissed. He's not ripping you off, I guess, b/c it's his building and he can do what he wants, but I would prefer to take my laundry to a laundromat than pay him for the water and the use of the machine. Though there's something to be said for the convenience of doing laundry in your building, but I have that at my apartment, and I don't pay for water at all. It's included in my rent.

Brian A

Sure you can be annoyed. I don't know if he is ripping you off though. Does he forbid you from looking for a better deal at a local laundromat?

elysialaw

I think thatâ€™s a bit steep considering you pay for the water, but free enterprise is free enterprise he can charge what he likes. Itâ€™s not only the water that you are paying for, there is also the wear and tear and maintenance of the machines. That and the fact that, well, let's face it, he's not a landlord out of the goodness of his heart, he's in it to make $.

That being said a free market is a free market, donâ€™t like it, go to the laundromat or switch apartments.

Dolores

Dear Broke,

I have never heard of prices this high and switching to use your water is absurd! I suggest you use the closest laundromat.

You could rent-to-own cheaper than paying these exorbitant prices.

Best of luck - make good decisions.

Dolores

Jackie

If you feel like you are being ripped off you can always go to another local laundrymat. Looks like you are paying for water, but the 1.75 pays for electricity and maintance.

Chris

not fair u r being ripped off

Razakel Apollyon

Is this your first time renting? No he's not ripping you off.

N dimentional brontosaur

Is he your landlord?
Then he's ripping you off.

That's their intention - to profit from your need for shelter. Anyone who profits from a basic survival need is ripping people off. Its the way we ordered our society.

By the rules of our society, you have every economic reason to switch that valve to his or someone elses apartment - just don't get caught.

Homo economicus - the economically purely rational man that is taught in colleges - is not concerned by ethics unless adherence brings some economic advantage or utility. This is the way the game is played - use other peoples water whenever you can get away with it.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: