Washer/dryer question

DavidP29 (California)
Posts: 100

Posted:

Hi,

We have a owner who installed a washer/dryer. A no as the plumbing in our building is not built for it. There are recent pictures posted online showing hookups.

When contacting the owner to remove it, he said there is not hook ups. Strange in that we can clearly see them in the picture.

Tomorrow morning we are dung an inspection to confirm. Hopefully he has removed them. But happens if he has tried to hide them behind temporary wall or some other way. We are requesting they return the piping to original condition and not just tap off the connection.

In the recent pictures from zillow. In one you can see the connections. In the other is the bathroom behind them. Normally the counter and would be twice the size but is cut in half because of wall where the washer was put.

AugustinD
Posts: 3,698

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By DavidP29 on 01/08/2022 5:55 AM
We are requesting they return the piping to original condition and not just tap off the connection.

Is it possible a prior owner installed the hook-ups?

DavidP29 (California)
Posts: 100

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By AugustinD on 01/08/2022 6:15 AM

Posted By DavidP29 on 01/08/2022 5:55 AM
We are requesting they return the piping to original condition and not just tap off the connection.

Is it possible a prior owner installed the hook-ups?

It is possible but no one has a washer and no one has permission. The Bylaws state no washer dryer connection is allowed.

AugustinD
Posts: 3,698

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By DavidP29 on 01/08/2022 6:21 AM

It is possible but no one has a washer and no one has permission. The Bylaws state no washer dryer connection is allowed.

-- I think your board needs to be prepared for a statement from the owner that a prior owner installed the hook-up.

-- If the owner does claim this, then in California, I think the condo closing paperwork (back when the current owner bought the condo unit) will have legal verbiage to the effect that, if no violations were noted prior to closing, then the COA cannot seek enforcement subsequently.

How about getting back to the forum with what the inspection yields and what the owner claims? Until then I would not make any big decisions.

DavidP29 (California)
Posts: 100

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By AugustinD on 01/08/2022 6:29 AM

Posted By DavidP29 on 01/08/2022 6:21 AM

It is possible but no one has a washer and no one has permission. The Bylaws state no washer dryer connection is allowed.

-- I think your board needs to be prepared for a statement from the owner that a prior owner installed the hook-up.

-- If the owner does claim this, then in California, I think the condo closing paperwork (back when the current owner bought the condo unit) will have legal verbiage to the effect that, if no violations were noted prior to closing, then the COA cannot seek enforcement subsequently.

How about getting back to the forum with what the inspection yields and what the owner claims? Until then I would not make any big decisions.

Will do. Right now they are claiming there is no washer/dryer connections but you can clearly see them in the pictures posted online. My worries are that he temporarily covers them with drywall for the inspection and then removes the dry wall after to confine using them. Not much we can do if they go to that extreme I guess.

AugustinD
Posts: 3,698

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By DavidP29 on 01/08/2022 6:35 AM
Right now they are claiming there is no washer/dryer connections but you can clearly see them in the pictures posted online. My worries are that he temporarily covers them with drywall for the inspection and then removes the dry wall after to confine using them. Not much we can do if they go to that extreme I guess.

Some ideas:

-- At a formal meeting with the Board, show the owner the photo with the hookups. If the owner says drywall is now covering the hookups, then confirm with the owner that the hookups are still present behind the drywall. Record the owner's answer in the Minutes.

-- If the owner says the hookups are still present, inform the owner the hookups must be removed, and you want management present to inspect the piping before the drywall is replaced.

-- Visit the unit and document what is found.

-- Is the unit used as a rental? If so, have management check the ads for the unit. (I know a condo association that cracked down on prohibited upper level hard surface flooring by checking ads for rentals.)

-- Continue to be ready with the owner's claim that a prior owner installed the hookups.

-- Much of California is struggling with a water shortage. I would want this board to watch this owner like a hawk.

DavidP29 (California)
Posts: 100

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By AugustinD on 01/08/2022 6:53 AM

Posted By DavidP29 on 01/08/2022 6:35 AM
Right now they are claiming there is no washer/dryer connections but you can clearly see them in the pictures posted online. My worries are that he temporarily covers them with drywall for the inspection and then removes the dry wall after to confine using them. Not much we can do if they go to that extreme I guess.

Some ideas:

-- At a formal meeting with the Board, show the owner the photo with the hookups. If the owner says drywall is now covering the hookups, then confirm with the owner that the hookups are still present behind the drywall. Record the owner's answer in the Minutes.

-- If the owner says the hookups are still present, inform the owner the hookups must be removed, and you want management present to inspect the piping before the drywall is replaced.

-- Visit the unit and document what is found.

-- Is the unit used as a rental? If so, have management check the ads for the unit. (I know a condo association that cracked down on prohibited upper level hard surface flooring by checking ads for rentals.)

-- Continue to be ready with the owner's claim that a prior owner installed the hookups.

-- Much of California is struggling with a water shortage. I would want this board to watch this owner like a hawk.

The unit was recently sold in November 2021. I don't think anyone knew if it had a washer before the sell. We just found out because it was Posted for rent with pictures.

The pictures from the sell do not show or mention the washer/dryer.

You are saying get the documents from this recent November 2021 sell? Correct.

AugustinD
Posts: 3,698

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By DavidP29 on 01/08/2022 7:03 AM
The unit was recently sold in November 2021. I don't think anyone knew if it had a washer before the sell. We just found out because it was Posted for rent with pictures.

The pictures from the sell do not show or mention the washer/dryer.

You are saying get the documents from this recent November 2021 sell? Correct.

I wonder what it would take to get a copy of the November-ish, 2021 seller's disclosure.

Have that board meeting and see if you can nail the owner into casually saying, "The hookups are there, but I covered them with drywall." Then if possible force him to remove the drywall and re-pipe. Require that the owner provide the receipt from a licensed plumber for the work. Do-it-yourself work for something like this ought to be prohibited by your Rules or CCRs.

By any chance do the units each have their own water meter?

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Is this a detached home , David? Or a a condo?

LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679

Posted:

Is it possible this is a portable Washer/ Dryer? The washer has a hookup to the sink.

DavidP29 (California)
Posts: 100

Posted:

It is condo building with 75 units.

The great news is that the plumbing has been restored and everything is back to normal.

Not a portable one. The pictures posted I were before the changes.

PatJ1 (North Carolina)
Posts: 568

Posted:

So this is no longer a board issue now, right? Everything has been restored?

Back in the early 1970's I had one of those washer units that hooked up to a sink. Didn't dry anything, just had a really great spin cycle so you could just hang things up to dry. Very small loads. Used minimal water, thus minimal drainage. I think they still make them.

In your original post you mentioned a dryer. Do your units carry 220 volt to the units that dryers operate from? You didn't mentioned a gas connection.

Electric stoves, dryers and water heaters run off of 220 volt. In the later 1970's I lived in a rental tri-plex with a washing machine hook-up in the bathroom. No dryer as we didn't have 220 volt. There were clotheslines provided out back. We did have gas heat. Since I was 18 at the time I can't contribute any info about the water heater, only that it was always hot.

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

There are many portable clothes washers available for less then $300. They hookup to a faucet and discharge into a sink and they operate on 120vac. Also may portable clothes dryers. They also operate on 110vac. Some have a vent discharge you can place in a window and remove when done. Same price range.

If not allowed, it becomes a question of how to get them in without anybody knowing.

LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By JohnC46 on 01/08/2022 1:59 PM
There are many portable clothes washers available for less then $300. They hookup to a faucet and discharge into a sink and they operate on 120vac. Also may portable clothes dryers. They also operate on 110vac. Some have a vent discharge you can place in a window and remove when done. Same price range.

If not allowed, it becomes a question of how to get them in without anybody knowing.

When I lived in an apartment I had a portable washer and dryer. The dryer was ventless. I'm assuming part of the heat
exhaust recirculated into the dryer tub because the clothes would dry quickly and both ran off of 110v.

EsperanzaE (New York)
Posts: 6

Posted:

Finding a suitable washer and dryer for apartments without hookups can be a challenge. However, there are portable and ventless options available that cater to such living spaces. Compact washer and dryer combos, like those with ventless drying technology, provide a convenient solution. These appliances don't require traditional hookups, allowing for flexibility in apartment setups. Consider models with compact designs and versatile installation options to optimize space in smaller living environments. Look for features like automatic detergent dispensers and energy efficiency to enhance convenience and eco-friendliness in your laundry routine.