Washing machine
Good evening
This is going to sound quite pathetic in the great scheme of things but it's genuinely something that I'm very anxious about. I'm having to move into sheltered accommodation due to various conditions, I've been offered a place & was advised I could get my own washing machine put it, rather than use the communal laundry.
I have a permanent stoma that sometimes decides to play up for example I was in the shower at 1am this morning due to a bag issue & obviously had things to launder. I wouldn't put on a machine at 1am but would prefer to be able to wash items when needed rather than in my laundry slot. Now speaking with them today, they have said it's not something they do. But I only accepted the place on this provision.
Isn't it a basic right to have my own washer?? I'm wondering if it's something I can appeal.
Any advice greatly received
Comments
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My Mum lives in sheltered housing, she doesn't have a washing machine in her flat (some other tenants do) so uses the communal facilities (one washer, one dryer) for the building (14 flats) , on a first come first served basis.
So no it isn't a basic right to have your own washing machine.
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But other tenants have been allowed to? Thank you
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Hi Hmas01
If that's not something they offer they may not be in a position to plumb a machine in. Noise can easily be an issue with them.
Different places will have different policies I'm certain, it was sensible of you to make that a condition of your accepting the contract.
Good luck
Luke
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@hmass01 it's not pathetic at all, even in the scheme of things going on. I think it's important for you due to the nature of your health and an important thing to have to be able to maintain your dignity.
I'm guessing it's the site's manager you've asked? If it were me I'd ask again and, not necessarily having to give very personal details if you don't wish to, but you might want to allude to the reason for your need and ask for your request to be reconsidered in order to protect and maintain your dignity.
If they still refuse I'd approach the Head Office to consider it.
It may not be a 'basic right' but it's something that I think most reasonable people would adapt and be flexible to accommodate your need. Good luck! Very best wishes too.
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Thank you, I was beginning to think I was being unreasonable but it definitely is a dignity thing & also the embarrassment of having to deal with any issues in a public domain.
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when you ask again make sure you say that you would only use it in acceptable hours and not the middle of the night
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I would ask for permission to use the communal washer/dryer outside of your allotted time due to your personal circumstances. Ask the housing officer for your particular residence (not your warden, you want the wardens boss, usually this person is officer for several residences and works from central office) as they should know your problems and should allow you to use machines when they are not being used.
You could also ask if you can install a washing machine - this is frequently refused if you are not on ground level due to risk of flooding other residents accommodations and the ensuing who pays for what damage😳🙄😡
If you use communal ones it saves your electricity.
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No you're not being unreasonable, it is completely reasonable and understandable to want to maintain some independence and your dignity. I wouldn't cope with sharing facilities and I don't think they should be able to back out of the agreement to allow you to have your own machine. I don't think " it's not something we do "is a valid excuse doesn't make them sound very supportive
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Too be honest I don't want to sound ungrateful but I'm a little concerned the manager seems quite disorganised. She said on our initial meeting that she would get several things done in the flat before sign over, removing a worktop, the washing machine plumbing & a basic magnolia paint on the walls. This was 3 weeks ago, so I called today to see if there was an update- medically I'm struggling in my private rental & obviously have to give notice. Well she phoned me back & said oh I haven't heard anything let me check where she noticed there has actually been 3 emails regarding hand over in the last 2 weeks
On looking in at the property they have added not removed a work top no walls are painted & of course she said about the washing machine.
The other stuff I'm not worried about I can get someone In To help with those.
Its all very scary, being completely powerless on how your going to live due to illness/disability.
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Iwill be in a ground floor residence so no flooding of others & no noise for residents below.
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Try somewhere like Hughes electrical they have a charity scheme (or they did when I was able to work a few years ago) so they might be able to get you one. Maybe they were giving you permission for one and not saying they would provide you with one. It's not pathetic at all for you it is a great deal and legitimate worry. Hope you get one soon.
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if you cannot have a full size washing machine in your new property I suggest looking at these as alternative options some need plumbing in some don't they are designed for camper vans, caravans and tents but sound like they may suit your needs for emergency washes outside of your normal weekly clothing wash needs.
https://www.google.com/search?q=camper+washing+machines&rlz=1C1_____en-USGB1012GB1012&oq=camper+washing+machines&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIICAEQABgWGB4yCAgCEAAYFhgeMggIAxAAGBYYHjIICAQQABgWGB4yCAgFEAAYFhgeMggIBhAAGBYYHjIICAcQABgWGB7SAQg3MzY0ajBqMagCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
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@hmass01 you're definitely not unreasonable in requesting to have your own washing machine. I've seen your posts and that you'll be on ground floor/ + query space for washing machine. I wouldn't want to do mine in a communal space (health issues/similar).
Just out of interest, have you seen your Tenancy Agreement/Contract ? (No exclusion of washing machine). I'm assuming you'll have a cooker. Well, washing stuff too, privately, is needed for you.
It will hopefully be your new home for a long time to come and you should be able to have full and proper enjoyment of it. I'd really be pushing it if I had to as it is not reasonable imo for them to refuse.
I'm sorry you've got the worry of it too it's not what you need 🫂.
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It’s completely understandable that you’re concerned about having a personal washing machine in your home, especially given your medical condition. This is not at all unreasonable. Since you initially agreed to the accommodation based on the promise that you could have your own washing machine, you have a valid reason to ask for this. You are entitled to reasonable adjustments that help you manage your medical condition effectively at home.
If the landlord is now refusing, you may want to put your request in writing, asking for a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act. This can help clarify your position and might lead to a resolution. If the matter is not resolved to your satisfaction, you have the option to appeal to the Housing Ombudsman. You can also consider filing a formal complaint, explaining that you were originally told you could have a washing machine.
If I were in your situation, I would keep everything in writing, ideally by email. This way, there can be no confusion over what was said, and you’ll have proof if you need to escalate the matter further.
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Thank you so much I really appreciate your opinions.
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Hello, I sympathise with your situation on top of the stress of moving to a new place to live. It would be vital for you to have privacy to do your washing, that would be important to make clear to the managers. If you have a particular need for a machine then you can make a case to install one usually.
However I do think that it wouldn't be fair for you to put a washing maching on after a certain hour of night when people want to be quiet and start going to bed…maybe 8pm for older people?? So could you buy some bowls to put dirty clothes in to soak in the bathroom when they are soiled if it is late at night?? Then the residents wouldnt be disturbed by noise at night and you could put the washing machine on in the morning. Perhaps that would be a compromise to offer the managers. Wishing you best of luck with it.
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Ps. Unless the building has excellent soundproofing, a spinning washing machine can be heard through the walls of a flat into the adjoining flats and also the noise may travel up to flats above…just seen your earlier comment about it being a ground floor flat! So if you tell the manager that you can guarantee to stick to daytime hours to put the machine on I think it will give you a better chance of being allowed to install one. All the best.
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Firstly you need to look at your tenancy agreement has that been added about washing machine? If not go back to the person who advised you could.
CAB maybe a good place to for legal advice.
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Thank you for all your support, I have had a meeting this morning regarding my needs & my washing machine has been approved.
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@hmass01 OMG that was quick, well done you, I'm SO pleased it's been approved 😀 😊. Good luck with your move too and hope it all goes smoothly (thanks for updating us).
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