I live in a new building in which every apartment is equipped with its own washer and dryer. Still in the basement there is a common laundry room. Since recently I noticed that two German families living in the same “gang” constantly use that common laundry room instead of their own equipment. Reason is clear - they want to save on their own electric bill putting it on all the neighbours, and it’s not once or twice, that’s literally every week.
What would be a civilised way in Switzerland to counter this kind of behaviour?
Why can’t it be removed?
What do you mean? What should be removed?
Realistically have you calculated how much this could be adding to your monthly charges? If you are in a new building I doubt you have seen an increase since you moved in. You likely won’t see an increase for some years to come.
I am not sure if you can. if it is community thing, everyone is entitled to it. some apt buildings have individual keys needed to power common utilities.
I had similar issues, where no laundry machine in my apt, but others with machines in their apt would reserve the common machine.
Result was more people/apt than 12 available slots per week. I complained to Livit saying additional machine needed. they then told me about laundry machines in some apartments. They also did ‘something’ and laundry slots became available from the week after.
raise your concerns with rental office?
Well. To be honest, that’s not the kind of answer I’ve been looking for. Some people are abusing a common facility, and in my world it’s enough to be against it and to want to stop it. I don’t buy your wisdom, sorry.
My wisdom. If it doesn’t hurt me, I don’t care. Not very altruistic I know but life is short.
A strongly worded anonymous note on the door of the alledged perpertrators is the customary first step.
something the building supervisor or the rental agency should post in the laundry room and the common board in the building.
I don’t recommend posting anything on any apt door or similar.
anonymity is key here. let those responsible handle it.
Thought about it. I could even send them a WhatsApp message. But this would most likely cause a lot of hate from their side. Since we are all apartment owners and there are only 6 of us in the block, wanted to avoid a head-on collision cause I am probably stuck with these people for awhile.
Is there not some way of keeping track of the use of the communal washing machines?
That’s usually how it works and the tenants pay for how often they use it.
There are various differs ways of calculating.
It would be very unusual to have free use of the communal facilities, if that were the case everyone would be using them.
But laminated!
1 Like
then there should be a ‘management/ownership group’ meeting regularly. bring the issue at this board or contact the head?
Yes, that’s a condo where I live, not rental, so it works a bit differently. There is no way to track usage, unfortunately. I am also questioning why this common laundry room was built in the first place. I guess the ‘Architektin’ of the building thought it would be nice.
If it is rented you cannot do much, just inform the owner.
If it is property you can bring it up at the next community meeting and vote for an individual charging system or removal.
1 Like
do laundry machines break down and require mechanic appointment days? what if family with young children?
be glad there is a backup for you, so you don’t have to beg neighbor or run to coin operated laundry shop.
2 Likes
Yes, there is of course the management company, and I can email them. I expect that the answer will be “well okay it’s a common facility so you can use it too if you want” (which I don’t want - I am happy using facilities in my flat). I was just thinking that it should be a fairly common situation and there was a standard solution. Okay, it looks like there is no other solution and I need to explore the ‘Verwaltung’ avenue.
complain. demand accounting. demand ‘why should I pay for others?’. strongly. well within your rights. ‘Agency’ will do something. that will be the time to discuss and address.
I mean, if it’s for sure that every apartment is equipped with a washing tower, then why not ask to remove the shared one?
1 Like
permanently doable electricity connection ? or a ( shared) key to enable electricity for urgent need?