Avoid washing machines mildew between rental property tenants

Hi, there! Joe White here from Grow Property Management, your trusted property management company in Philadelphia.

As the owner of a property management company, I encounter a recurring issue that affects both landlords and tenants, and I want to share it in hopes of preventing the same problems for other property owners. A situation that often arises is when a tenant moves out, or more commonly, when a property owner moves out of a rental property before they’ve engaged property management services. Even though they might contact us months in advance, there’s often a delay in giving us access to the property. This delay leads to a significant problem, particularly with the washing machines in these properties.

When owners are getting ready to move out, they often do laundry and then close the washing machine door without thinking about what happens afterward. Once the property is vacant, nobody goes in for a while, leaving trapped water inside the machine. The washing machine is designed to be waterproof, so the water has no way to escape and dry on its own. This creates the perfect breeding ground for mildew, which develops incredibly quickly. In a typical household, you might not notice the issue because the washing machine is used frequently, and people tend to wipe it down after each load. But when it’s left closed for days or weeks, mildew can grow and spread in a matter of days.

When we finally get access to the property, the washing machine often has serious mildew buildup. The rubber seals inside the machine, which come into contact with the water, are the first to get stained and ruined. Cleaning them doesn’t work, and the only solution is to replace the seals entirely. Replacing these seals can be costly – around $230 for a repairman to fix the problem, which could have been avoided if the washing machine door had simply been left open to allow the moisture to evaporate.

The problem goes beyond just the cost of repairs. Tenants, who are paying rent for a property, expect the appliances to be in good working order. When they go to use the washing machine and find it covered in mildew, it creates a major issue. They can’t feel comfortable using it, which leads to frustration and distress. It’s a real hassle trying to resolve the problem quickly, especially when the repairman has to be called in urgently.

This situation causes a lot of tenant unrest. They feel uncomfortable doing their laundry until the issue is fixed, and no one wants to deal with the inconvenience of having to use a filthy appliance. It’s a problem that my property management company faces time and time again, and it leads to unnecessary expenses and unhappy tenants.

To address this, we take a proactive approach by reaching out to property owners before they move out. We send them emails to remind them to leave the washing machine door open. Despite our efforts, owners still often delay granting us access to the property, which means we’re unable to address issues like the washing machine in a timely manner. This delay results in the property sitting vacant for longer than necessary, costing the owner money.

When a property is vacant, it’s losing money every day. We refer to this as the “vacancy penalty fee.” For the average owner, this cost is around $78 per day. When a property sits vacant and we can’t get in to prepare it for new tenants, the owner is losing money each day. That’s why it’s so important for owners to allow us immediate access once the property is empty. The longer we wait, the longer the property remains vacant, and the more it costs the owner.

Ultimately, we urge all rental property owners to be mindful of this simple yet significant issue. If you’re a resident or an owner, always remember to leave the washing machine door open between uses. This small step can save you a lot of hassle, prevent mildew buildup, and ensure that your property is ready for tenants without unnecessary delays and costs. As always, I’m here to help with any rental property questions, and hope this advice makes managing your property a little easier.

Happy rental property investing!