Washing machine in small studio?

Washing machine in small studio?

9:55 AM, 6th June 2022, About 3 years ago 6

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Hi all, My studio flat has been rented out since the late 80s. However, it is empty now due to Covid19 but in excellent condition after a recent refurbishment has been carried out.

I am looking for a professional tenant to rent the property to, but I am worried the lack of a washing machine in the flat will limit demand.

Has anyone installed a small washer dryer into a tiny kitchenette before and was it worth squeezing one in?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Many thanks

Monica


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Chris H

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12:01 PM, 6th June 2022, About 3 years ago

If you can find a small enough one, I would also look to it being a washer / dryer, you will be responsible for repair and replacement, I supplied washing machines in my flats to stop the damage of moving them in and out when tenants leave.

Frances Kneller

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14:07 PM, 6th June 2022, About 3 years ago

Definitely find space for a washer/dryer for whoever you let the studio flat to. Not only will prospective tenants appreciate the convenience but you control the installation, location and plumbing aspects, and limit the likelihood of condensation issues.
It may not be a problem in the area where your flat is located but here in a Buckinghamshire town on the end of the underground, we don't have a laundrette locally or anywhere nearby. It causes quite a headache, and no-one wants to handwash everything and try to dry it indoors.

Reluctant Landlord

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14:09 PM, 6th June 2022, About 3 years ago

let with no white goods. Singletons often use a launderette.

yl2006

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14:12 PM, 6th June 2022, About 3 years ago

As it happens, I do have a small studio and, yes, it has a washer dryer. It's on it's third tenancy in 4 years and still going strong.

Apart from in HMOs where the use is higher, I always install washer dryers instead of washing machines - the footprint is the same and the cost difference isn't that much. I find it removes the incentive for tenants to dry clothes about the property and thus reduces incidences of damp and mould. It's also a selling point when letting.

I also haven't found them to be any more problematic than a washing machine. If you're concerned about maintenance costs, you could take out white goods insurance, though I personally don't - I budget for replacements every 4/5 years.

Rod

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10:20 AM, 11th June 2022, About 3 years ago

As said above, launderettes are now few and far between and when your tenant can order food, groceries and other goods for near instant delivery, will expect the convenience. We have seen this with our properties in the North East.

It is a while since I last researched smaller than standard machines but there are very few and the cost is about double, so better to resign yourself to a 600mm x 600 mm footprint and sacrifice a kitchen base unit.

On the durability front, some of the older Hotpoint models have a flimsy handle/lock which is easily broken.

DPT

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12:44 PM, 12th June 2022, About 3 years ago

Is there space in the bathroom or a cupboard?

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