Don’t Forget the Laundry
When inspecting a property to purchase or to manage for rental purposes, always pay particular attention to the configuration of the laundry hook-ups. The following are items to check:
– Make sure that the dryer is properly vented to the outside.
– If the actual washer is provided, it is important that the supply hoses are the braided type and that they are not simply made of regular rubber, which are prone to bursting. Requiring renters to use this type of hose is also advisable.
– Check for the source of power and the fuel source for heat supplied to the dryer.
– Some houses only have a gas hook-up which creates issues with renters with an electric dryer.
– The majority of renters own an electric dryer and thus require a 220-outlet. For this reason it is advisable to install a 220-outlet if none exists. Gas dryers generally are more expensive to purchase but cost less to operate.
– Keep in mind that even a gas dryer still requires an electrical outlet, (110-volt).
– Sometimes it is necessary to update the wiring in a house to accommodate an additional 220-outlet for a dryer, which can result in significant extra costs. Knowing this information prior to renting out the unit is vital so that it can be dealt with in a non-crisis mode and the special requirements for a resident’s dryer, such as gas only, can be stated to the prospective resident prior to renting if installing a 220-outlet is not feasible. In some instances, it is cheaper to supply a gas dryer rather than paying to install the proper electrical service to accommodate an additional electrical outlet for an electric dryer.
Carefully evaluating the laundry area of a new property prior to renting is highly recommended in order to avoid issues that will become more urgent and conceivably more expensive to the owner after a renter moves in.