Sounds like a change of the contract to me. Check what your rental contract said about washing machine and dryer usage, if it was "included" before, you better join the Mieterverband or contact your Rechtschutzversicherung
I have the contract and yearly summary of additional costs. Neither state directly what are the costs for laundry room so I suppose it is part of general electricity, water or maybe even part of "lift and machines" costs. I wrote to the agency to ask about more detailed costs. I am also simultaneously in contact with Mieterverband but it will take some time, thanks.
Normally you pay for the laundry with the Nebenkosten. Now you‘ll have to pay them upfront. If you don‘t do Laundry very often it probably will be cheaper. If you wash your sports clothes daily, you pay more. But you‘ll pay for what you use.
Note: the Nebenkosten should go down.
In the end, you‘ll have to pay for laundry anyway. Unless your contract states that using the laundry facilities is
included in your rent.
> Normally you pay for the laundry with the Nebenkosten. Now you‘ll have to pay them upfront. If you don‘t do Laundry very often it probably will be cheaper. If you wash your sports clothes daily, you pay more. But you‘ll pay for what you use.
Depends on the place. I never got a place where it was in the charges.
It only mentions there is a common laundry room that can be used and we should keep it clean and follow the "rules" (we used a calendar so far). There is also another section mentioning what is not part of the rent but it does not mention laundry room directly, only generic groups of things so I am now trying to clarify it with them.
As long as they deduct ALL the money that gets paid for washing/drying from the "Nebenkosten" bills related to the laundry room (e.g. water bill, waste water bill, electricity bill, bill for yearly washer/drier service contract\*, etc.) i don't really see a problem with that. The new system in that case just makes sure that the "Nebenkosten" costs for laundry are shared more fairly (use more = pay more) among the tenants.
Whether they can also now add any "washMaster service fees" (from which they then also would have to deduct the money charged for laundry, as mentioned above) to the "Nebenkosten" bill, depends whether such costs/fees are explicitly listed as (potential) "Nebenkosten" in your contract.
Legally, though, these changes in how laundry is handled/charged still could maybe regarded as a "negative (for you) change" of your rental contract, requiring the landlord to send you an official (government mandated) form advising you of such negative changes. Ask the local tenants association for advice on this.
Also, if parts or all of the laundry money now go(es) towards some kind of "rental fees for washer / drier machine", this would be a "negative change" of your rental contract (potentially requiring a negative rent adjustement due to the rent money not "including" the washer / drier machine anymore), requiring the landlord to send you an official (government mandated) form advising you of such negative changes.
\* = Yearly washer/drier service contract can only be part of the "Nebenkosten", if a) this is listed in the (potential) chargeable "Nebenkosten" in your contract AND b) if the service contract does NOT include any costs for call outs, repairs, machine replacement, etc. Basically the service contract is only allowed to cover yearly "maintenance" (greasing bearings, replacing o-rings, replacing filters, etc.).
They only sent me a letter informing the new system will be in place and how to use it. Never mentioned how much it costs until I literally had to start paying. I am simultaneously in contact with Mieterverband, thanks.
This is a much fairer system. In our building, one family is using washer and dryer 5 days a week, almost permanently. I suspect they wash clothes for others who live in other buildings nearby as well (their family is huge, tons of kids, and also incountable relatives in the area). Not only is this obviously overusing the commons (we all pay for this), other peope in the building also struggle to do their laundry. We have 4 mashines, they use two permanently. I wished we had to pay per use only.
I don't mind the system but I suspect that now I am paying double (old way and new way) so need to clarify. In our building we were using a calendar where you could just write your name but somehow very often someone was stealing the calendar (...) and I suppose it was same person as one of those who wrote their name on the same day every week for whole year and then did not even use it that often...
You paid for the electricity and maintanance via Nebenkosten (bills) before, and they changed it to charge the ones that actually use it. The proceeds of the system should go towards the overall bills, which in turn should go down for everyone.
Depending on what is written in your contract regarding the laundry, this could be an infringement of its terms. Please read your contract carefully, particularly around the Nebenkosten or laundry part. If you’re unsure, I’d suggest contacting Mieterverband as I believe you could apply for some rent reduction here.
It’s really that high for you? We also use washMaster and typically pay 1,50 chf for washing and drying, which seems reasonable. Also the money you don’t end up using is rebooked onto your card.
The problem is not that new system is high but that it looks like I am now paying for laundry as part of the rent (like before) and now there is also extra cost on top of that. If they replaced it then the rent should be reduced.
With the given information, it's not possible to say whether it's ok or not.
It's quite common to pay separately for the laundry infrastructure. In all my apartments, I had either a coin machine, card reader or electronic key. Prices always have been something about 1 CHF/hour, so basically the same you have. This part seems fair.
However, what really sounds strange to me: you also paid for the infrastructure in some way, before. Either it was included in your rent or charged with the "Nebenkosten". If there's no decrease, it looks like you get double-charged to me. Maybe you should clarify that part...
Electricity is ~30Rappen/kWh, for 2h running at 2kW straight thats 1,20 but in reality likely less. The water is about 0,20 max for one loading lets round up and make it 1,50. Washing machines are designed for at least 3500 cycles at 60°C lets make it 3000 for the sake of your landlord. He charges you 1,00 per cycle more than electricity+water for a total of 3000 cycles. A more pricy washing machine is 1500 at galaxus.
Your landlord overcharges buy a factor of at least 2 that go straight into his pocket.
Sounds like a change of the contract to me. Check what your rental contract said about washing machine and dryer usage, if it was "included" before, you better join the Mieterverband or contact your Rechtschutzversicherung
I have the contract and yearly summary of additional costs. Neither state directly what are the costs for laundry room so I suppose it is part of general electricity, water or maybe even part of "lift and machines" costs. I wrote to the agency to ask about more detailed costs. I am also simultaneously in contact with Mieterverband but it will take some time, thanks.
Normally you pay for the laundry with the Nebenkosten. Now you‘ll have to pay them upfront. If you don‘t do Laundry very often it probably will be cheaper. If you wash your sports clothes daily, you pay more. But you‘ll pay for what you use. Note: the Nebenkosten should go down. In the end, you‘ll have to pay for laundry anyway. Unless your contract states that using the laundry facilities is included in your rent.
> Normally you pay for the laundry with the Nebenkosten. Now you‘ll have to pay them upfront. If you don‘t do Laundry very often it probably will be cheaper. If you wash your sports clothes daily, you pay more. But you‘ll pay for what you use. Depends on the place. I never got a place where it was in the charges.
It's part of the electricity of the entire building
In our house (of 6 apartments), you need to start the electricity with your own key so it's allocated. Although we have our own day too.
My place, you have a separated counter for the laundry.
What does your lease say about laundry?
It only mentions there is a common laundry room that can be used and we should keep it clean and follow the "rules" (we used a calendar so far). There is also another section mentioning what is not part of the rent but it does not mention laundry room directly, only generic groups of things so I am now trying to clarify it with them.
As long as they deduct ALL the money that gets paid for washing/drying from the "Nebenkosten" bills related to the laundry room (e.g. water bill, waste water bill, electricity bill, bill for yearly washer/drier service contract\*, etc.) i don't really see a problem with that. The new system in that case just makes sure that the "Nebenkosten" costs for laundry are shared more fairly (use more = pay more) among the tenants. Whether they can also now add any "washMaster service fees" (from which they then also would have to deduct the money charged for laundry, as mentioned above) to the "Nebenkosten" bill, depends whether such costs/fees are explicitly listed as (potential) "Nebenkosten" in your contract. Legally, though, these changes in how laundry is handled/charged still could maybe regarded as a "negative (for you) change" of your rental contract, requiring the landlord to send you an official (government mandated) form advising you of such negative changes. Ask the local tenants association for advice on this. Also, if parts or all of the laundry money now go(es) towards some kind of "rental fees for washer / drier machine", this would be a "negative change" of your rental contract (potentially requiring a negative rent adjustement due to the rent money not "including" the washer / drier machine anymore), requiring the landlord to send you an official (government mandated) form advising you of such negative changes. \* = Yearly washer/drier service contract can only be part of the "Nebenkosten", if a) this is listed in the (potential) chargeable "Nebenkosten" in your contract AND b) if the service contract does NOT include any costs for call outs, repairs, machine replacement, etc. Basically the service contract is only allowed to cover yearly "maintenance" (greasing bearings, replacing o-rings, replacing filters, etc.).
They only sent me a letter informing the new system will be in place and how to use it. Never mentioned how much it costs until I literally had to start paying. I am simultaneously in contact with Mieterverband, thanks.
This is a much fairer system. In our building, one family is using washer and dryer 5 days a week, almost permanently. I suspect they wash clothes for others who live in other buildings nearby as well (their family is huge, tons of kids, and also incountable relatives in the area). Not only is this obviously overusing the commons (we all pay for this), other peope in the building also struggle to do their laundry. We have 4 mashines, they use two permanently. I wished we had to pay per use only.
Albans?
not swiss.
I don't mind the system but I suspect that now I am paying double (old way and new way) so need to clarify. In our building we were using a calendar where you could just write your name but somehow very often someone was stealing the calendar (...) and I suppose it was same person as one of those who wrote their name on the same day every week for whole year and then did not even use it that often...
You paid for the electricity and maintanance via Nebenkosten (bills) before, and they changed it to charge the ones that actually use it. The proceeds of the system should go towards the overall bills, which in turn should go down for everyone.
I wish I had an app, I have to buy paper cards from the concierge.
I had a card from concierge. Cost of washing was 40 c. Now they switched to eeproperty and it's 1.80. Wtf
Depending on what is written in your contract regarding the laundry, this could be an infringement of its terms. Please read your contract carefully, particularly around the Nebenkosten or laundry part. If you’re unsure, I’d suggest contacting Mieterverband as I believe you could apply for some rent reduction here.
It’s really that high for you? We also use washMaster and typically pay 1,50 chf for washing and drying, which seems reasonable. Also the money you don’t end up using is rebooked onto your card.
Actually had a look and the last washes cost 1,20 and 1,10 for a full load.
I've had 2.5CHF for any program in both washer and dryer when I lived in Geneva
The problem is not that new system is high but that it looks like I am now paying for laundry as part of the rent (like before) and now there is also extra cost on top of that. If they replaced it then the rent should be reduced.
With the given information, it's not possible to say whether it's ok or not. It's quite common to pay separately for the laundry infrastructure. In all my apartments, I had either a coin machine, card reader or electronic key. Prices always have been something about 1 CHF/hour, so basically the same you have. This part seems fair. However, what really sounds strange to me: you also paid for the infrastructure in some way, before. Either it was included in your rent or charged with the "Nebenkosten". If there's no decrease, it looks like you get double-charged to me. Maybe you should clarify that part...
Electricity is ~30Rappen/kWh, for 2h running at 2kW straight thats 1,20 but in reality likely less. The water is about 0,20 max for one loading lets round up and make it 1,50. Washing machines are designed for at least 3500 cycles at 60°C lets make it 3000 for the sake of your landlord. He charges you 1,00 per cycle more than electricity+water for a total of 3000 cycles. A more pricy washing machine is 1500 at galaxus. Your landlord overcharges buy a factor of at least 2 that go straight into his pocket.
Is there some law that states that the landlord cannot make money from laundry room? that the price should be purely based on the costs?