So, you’ve just moved into a new apartment, realize there’s no washer, and are considering buying a portable option. Then it dawns on you that you might not be allowed to use it, and so you can’t help but ask, are portable washing machines allowed in apartments?
Well, portable washing machines aren’t allowed in most apartments because they cause renter disturbance, drainage and electrical issues, water damage, and higher utility bills. Moreover, most apartments offer built-in washers and dryers, eliminating the need for portable options.
Note that it doesn’t mean you cannot use a portable washer in an apartment, especially one with no hookups (built-in option). However, you must check with the apartment owner, tenant board, or local building authority and get their consent before using the washer.
Overall, you may have to convince them that your portable washer won’t be a problem while staying in the apartment, and I’ll share the details in this post. I’ll also explain some other things you may want to do first before installing the washer.
Let’s dive in!
Are Portable Washing Machines Allowed in Apartments?
Generally, portable washing machines aren’t allowed in many apartments because of the ‘problems’ they are perceived to cause not only to the tenants but also to the property. Therefore, apartment owners prefer to provide hookups (built-in washers and dryers) to avoid needing a portable option.
Let’s discuss further the ‘problems’ these portable laundry machines cause to the tenants and property and what you can do to get the approval to use them in an apartment.
Why Apartment Owners Don’t Allow Portable Washing Machines?
Most apartment owners don’t allow portable washing machines in their units because of these five reasons:
1. Renter Disturbance
Portable washing machines are noisy like other washers, and some are too noisy. Depending on the model and brand, they can produce 40-80 decibels and anything above 60 decibels is considered too loud.
For that reason, apartment owners and tenants’ boards see them as a nuisance, which may bring disharmony among tenants, especially if some tenants have toddlers or like working in a quiet environment.
Noise, however, is not the only disturbance that portable washers can create. Their heavy vibrations can also be a concern among the tenants. Hence, you may have to find a way to dampen its effects if allowed to use the washer.
2. Drainage Issues
Older apartments, in particular, don’t have the best drainage systems. So, you may have difficulty draining your portable washer. If so, the apartment owner may forbid using portable washers.
In most cases, the drainage pipes are too small for shared usage, and if you go ahead and install a portable washer, it may violate the local building authority codes on drainage and could get you in trouble legally.
3. Electrical Issues
This again applies to older apartments. Most of them don’t have the best connection to allow you to install a portable washer comfortably. The connection of the washer may interfere with the electrical work and result in a critical building code violation, and you wouldn’t want that.
4. Water Damage
You connect a portable washer to the sink faucet, which requires you to unscrew the tap during the installation. In the process of doing that, you may misconnect it, causing the water to leak out of the pipe.
Sometimes, the water doesn’t leak but overflows and may run into the floor or along the wall and cause damage. Most apartment owners don’t like that, so they forbid them.
5. Higher Utility Bills
If you live in an apartment where tenants share the electricity and water bills, there are bound to be restrictions on the type of home appliances you can use. Some apartment owners may bar you from using washers, dishwashers, and other heavy water and power users. Thus, you may have to revisit your tenant’s agreement to see if there’s such a clause.
What Happens in Apartments?
While most apartment owners don’t allow portable washers, they offer a way to do your laundry. These apartments usually have hookups, which means they have built-in washers and dryers to do your laundry.
If so, you wouldn’t need a portable washer while in the apartment. That means you can only get a portable washer and dryer for apartments without hookups. However, if the apartment has hookups, a portable washer is unnecessary.
What to Do to Use Washing Machines in Apartments?
If the apartment has no washer or dryer hookups and you want to get a portable washer, you can do the following:
a) Check with the apartment owner or landlord
It makes sense to consult your landlord if you want to use a portable washer on their premise. Most of them will indicate that in the tenant’s agreement, to forbid you from doing so, but that doesn’t mean you cannot talk to them.
The key here is to try and convince them that your washer won’t disturb the tenants and won’t cause any water damage, drainage, or electrical problems to the building. If you can crack that, you could get the apartment owner’s consent to use the portable washer.
b) Check with the tenants’ board (if applicable)
It’s also essential to consult the tenants’ board if such a board exists in your area. They usually have some codes that all tenants should abide by, and if so, they must mention something about portable laundry machines.
Hence, talk to them to inquire if you can use a portable washer, and if so, find out why to determine if you can convince them otherwise.
c) Consult your local building authority.
This perhaps applies to apartment owners more than the tenants. Apartment owners would want to know what is acceptable and what’s not when scripting the tenant’s agreement, and there’s no better party to consult than the local building authority.
What Else Should You Do?
Getting the approval of the apartment owner, tenant’s board, or local building authority isn’t the only thing you can do when considering using a portable washer in an apartment. You should also do the following:
- Check if the apartment offers hookups – If it doesn’t, you can bring in a portable washer. Of course, with the consent of the applicable parties.
- Ensure you’ve access to good drainage – If not, you may have to fix that by checking with the apartment owner or manager.
- Ensure you’ve access to ample laundry water – If water access is a challenge, then you may have difficulty not only installing a portable washer but also using it on the premises.
- Confirm that your washer is really portable – Just because the washer looks small doesn’t mean it’s portable. You must ensure that it’s portable.
Overall, if you are looking for the best portable washing machine for apartment, you cannot go wrong with the ROCSUMOO Portable Washing Machine (View on Amazon). This portable washer has a 17.6-pound capacity; the laundry washer is 11 pounds, and the spinner is 6.6 pounds.
Its built-in drain pump makes it easy to drain water while staying in an apartment and is generally user-friendly. Other advantages include easy installation, affordability, space-saving, and environmentally friendly.
Can You Be Evicted for Using a Portable Washing Machine in an Apartment?
Just because you can use a portable washing machine in an apartment doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want. For example, if the portable washer is too noisy and becomes a nuisance to the tenants, you may be served with an eviction notice.
However, the apartment owner or manager may give you a warning notice before the eviction notice or talk to you. That also applies to when your washer interferes with the drainage and electrical work. Only after you ignore their warning may they resort to evicting you.
Another reason an apartment owner may choose to evict you for using a portable washer is if you use it illegally. That’s why I mentioned the importance of getting the necessary consent, especially from the apartment owner or manager.
People Also Ask
1. Can I Use Portable Washing Machine in Apartment?
The answer is yes if the apartment offers no hookups for washers and you first get the owner’s or manager’s consent. However, if the apartment has a washer and dryer hookups, you wouldn’t need a portable washer as you’ll have access to the ones in the apartment.
2. Are Portable Washing Machine Apartment Illegal?
Portable washing machines may be illegal in an apartment where the owner offers hookups. In such cases, you don’t need a portable washer as you can get one (non-portable) in the apartment.
You can tell if a portable washing machine is illegal in your apartment by revisiting your tenants’ agreement or checking with the apartment owner or manager.
3. How Do You Put a Washing Machine in A Small Apartment?
If the property owner consents to use a washing machine in an apartment, you can put it beneath the staircase, washbasin, island, or kitchen counter. Alternatively, stack it below the dryer, inside your wardrobe, cupboard, or pantry, or along a long hallway.
4. Do Portable Washing Machines Use a Lot of Electricity?
Portable washing machines don’t use much electricity. While a standard-size washer uses about 1000-1500 watts, most portable washers use 200-500 watts. So, they are pretty fuel-economical. The overall power usage, however, depends on the load size, cycle length, and water temperature.
5. Are Portable Washing Machines Loud?
All washing machines produce some noise, including portable options. It’s, however, the level of noise that differs between them. Most portable washing machines have slight vibrations like a running dishwasher or AC. Some, however, are too noisy, producing more than 60 decibels.
Are Portable Washing Machines Allowed in Apartments? Concluding Thought:
Now you know why portable washing machines aren’t allowed in apartments. We are discussing the potential of them disturbing other tenants, interfering with the apartment’s drainage or electrical work, or causing direct damage to the building.
That doesn’t mean you can’t use it, especially if there are no hookups. But to be safe and avoid an eviction, check with the apartment owner, tenants’ board, or local building authority. You can then go ahead with the washer usage once you gain their approval.
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