I really like to install a washing machine in the apartment, tired of sharing and difficult time slots.I asked but was told not allowed.
What risk is there if I install anyway?
I guess if there is water leak insurance will not cover. But I will be in the apartment during washing so should be fine.
Other than this, is there any other risk? Does someone have any experience on this?
Thanks!
Tom
The next time your landlord needs to come to the apartment, to get something fixed etc, you think he wouldn't notice the washing machine? Or if a neighbour hears it and complains?
Depends on the landlord/agency. Although ours lived abroad his parents’ house was just up the hill so he often dropped by to say hello when he was back visiting them. And the agency we rented through did several inspections during the 12 years we rented the place.
EE was longterm landlady by marriage and janitor of an appartment block as well. ......so I allow myself to part with some of my wisdom
Got a bit of bad news for you. You have done the right thing and asked the rental agency/landlord whether you could install a washing machine.
Alas they have told you NO. So if you go ahead and install one anyway you are in breach of their rules and this can lead to you getting kicked out.
Sometimes this specific kind of problem, is regulated in a Paper called HAUSORDNUNG/ RÉGELEMENT DE MAISON, which lists the do's and don'ts in an appartment building, and which gets handed to you together with the rental contract, Sometimes stuff like that is also regulated in the contract itself.
But, in the end it really is the landlord or the agency who's got the last word in a case like this, and their say-so is the law.
A washing machine makes quite a bit of noise and is capable of making floors and walls reverberate, especially during the spinning circle. This is also very disturbing to neighbours, we are currently having a big fat bother with a downstairs tenant who did install a WM without asking.....and in our appt. block it is not allowed too.
I have the pleasure to get woken up between 2 and 4am by my bed reverberating, because they run the machine during night time.
This reverberating can also cause damage to floors and walls, the noise is another problem,possible breakages and water spills are also a risk, then on to hang the damp washing inside a flat is with the incredibly insulated houses of nowadays a great risk of developing mould, to name but a few problems that could ensue.
If you go ahead , and neighbours complain about the noise etc from that WM...you may most certainly get a letter of a kind of warning to uninstall this machine immediately. If you don't, they have the right to terminate the lease within a very short time.
Is it really worth all the bother that this could ensue?? Isn't there another way within your appt. block to see if you could do swapsies of your day/slot with a neighbour or some such thing??
HTH
EE
In Germany even flats costing 500 euro a month to rent have provision for every tenant to have their own washing machine in the basement.
As for the OP, do you hear WM from other neighbours? If the building is of reasonably sturdy construction then it might not make too much noise if you don't spin too fast. Of course, there's usually some times when the load isn't balanced. If it's an old wooden type house then unless you can come up with some special holding enclosure for it then I think you're out of luck.
There's also a saying which might apply here: better to ask for forgiveness than for permission.
You'r own washing machine is the height of luxury in Switzerland. We have one machine in the basement for 20 or so flats.
In Switzerland 1 washing machine for 20 flats & in Germany provision for 20 washing machines in a building of 20 flats.
A true British gentleman would have a valet and a housekeeper and would not have to bother about only being able to use a communal washing machine in the 'cellar' once a fortnight.
I do think 'communal' washing facilities to be very primitive, at least Swiss flats generally have showers & toilets inside the apartment now. I do know some flats in Basel where each flat has its own toilets off the staircase rather than in the flat. No shower facilities but some people did put a shower in the kitchen.
Worst is neighbors may complain from the noise. Especially after late at night. One neighbor did their laundry after midnight, which did wake us up somewhat (But they moved away).
In our house its allowed and we have one installed in the bathroom. Our machine, a Miele is extra made for apartments with a pipe sensor that checks for water leakage. So flooding is actually nothing to worry about.