https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 19 Jul 2026 09:29:02 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-733462 Mon, 22 Apr 2013 07:08:41 +0000 Trailmix 733462@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sorry but that's just what happens with communal laundry spaces :( It is annoying but I think the only thing you can do is to set a timer to go get your stuff as soon as it's done. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-733429 Mon, 22 Apr 2013 06:44:39 +0000 looch 733429@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You're lucky your stuff didn't end up on the floor! I know that it's tough with a child to make sure that you're there when the clothes are finished, can you do them late at night? I used to do this a lot, when I had insomnia!</p> <p>I really like the idea of putting everything in a mesh bag, that would make sure that your socks don't get left behind! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-733426 Mon, 22 Apr 2013 06:42:54 +0000 Foodnerd81 733426@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have moved stuff and had my stuff moved. I feel bad if someone has to move mine because I was too slow actually. I always give it half an hour from when I know that load was done though- if they haven't moved it by then, then I'll take it out. We had people who would leave it for days! I felt bad bc I knew they had a kid but days? </p> <p>So yeah, joys of communal laundry. Also out washer had really unpredictable timing do you would end up going back to check like five times before it was finished sometimes. now we have our own washer dryer which is great but it's the smaller washer I've ever seen! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-733387 Mon, 22 Apr 2013 05:42:10 +0000 autumnlove 733387@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have moved plenty of stuff out of washer and dryers...I definitely could not wait 30-60 minutes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-733322 Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:24:35 +0000 googly-eyes 733322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The policy at our building is five minutes, but people have transferred our clothes in shorter time than that because they wanted to use the ONE machine! (13 units, 1 washer, 2 dryers.) I can't say I blame them.</p> <p>It's annoying but the only thing I can suggest is our policy which is that you can transfer others' clothes into the dryer after 5 minutes, and from the dryer into a CLEAN bag after 5 minutes. Everyone seems to be doing fine with that policy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-733315 Sun, 21 Apr 2013 23:54:26 +0000 indi 733315@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: I'm on the same page as most PPs about it just being a hazard of shared laundry. However, I get the "ick factor" of someone else touching your clothes, so I have a potential solution for that aspect, anyway. </p> <p>I have a few LARGE mesh laundry sacks that tie closed (think giant lingerie bag). If the washers don't have agitators, you can just toss the whole bag into the machine (just don't stuff the bag so clothes can still toss about inside). This way, if someone needs to take your items out, they just grab the big bag out and aren't as likely to touch your unmentionables . :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-733304 Sun, 21 Apr 2013 23:25:24 +0000 tysonja 733304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can definitely see it being difficult to be there on time even with a timer to remind you when you have a baby--- there is always something going on! And with a household and baby there is of course more than one or two loads a week to do. :) </p> <p>When I lived on my own I had shared laundry too (in dorm and other student housing) -- as others have mentioned it was pretty much expected that your clothes would be moved if the machine had stopped running. It didn't bother me cause everyone else was just students like me too, but I tried not to think of who must have been grabbing my underwear and jammies by the armful:) to be fair I've moved plenty an armful of boxers and the like, too:) hehe </p> <p>Hope it doesn't happen too often to you guys in the future! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-733237 Sun, 21 Apr 2013 21:12:25 +0000 swedishfish 733237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: at least the laundry room is on your floor. In my DH's former apartment complex there was a laundry room for every few buildings. His building didn't have one attached so, for the month and a half I lived there, I would take my laundry to my parents' house! :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-733225 Sun, 21 Apr 2013 20:52:34 +0000 spaniellove 733225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This has happened to me many times in college and apartment living. I never liked taking other people's things out of a washer/dryer, but after going back repeatedly and finding that they were just neglecting their things it just got to be necessary. One building I lived in had a sign up saying that it was everyone's responsibility to retrieve their things promptly or risk having someone else deal with it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-733200 Sun, 21 Apr 2013 20:28:39 +0000 Mrs. Pen 733200@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@swedishfish: thankfully in our apartment there is a laundry room on each floor so it really doesn't happen often because in general there is at least 1-2 washers/dryers open, if not all. If it was more of an issue like college dorms haha I might do what you do while baby naps - unfortunately the monitor doesn't reach that far! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-733117 Sun, 21 Apr 2013 19:25:59 +0000 pui 733117@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh that sucks! Talk to the landlord. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-733110 Sun, 21 Apr 2013 19:22:49 +0000 swedishfish 733110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is why I disliked doing laundry in college. I ended up bringing my laptop and work with me to the laundry room which is not an option for you with the baby! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-733077 Sun, 21 Apr 2013 19:00:17 +0000 avivoca 733077@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If it was just a few minutes after the machine stopped, I would say something to management. Since it's sometimes 30-60 minutes after it stops, there really isn't anything you can do other than making sure you get your clothes as soon as they are done. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-733074 Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:59:07 +0000 Mrs. Pen 733074@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@softcream: it's $1/wash $1/dry. Our washers have a set cycle of 45 minutes I think, but the dryers have sensors on them so they aren't a set length, they end when it senses your clothes are dry. There have been several times I go to get them and they're not done yet! </p> <p>Yeah I'll just try to set a timer from now on I guess. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-733058 Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:46:32 +0000 softcream 733058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>welcome to communal laundry! it's pretty standard and management will likely tell you to just take your laundry out when it's ready.</p> <p>you didn't mention if your machines are coin-operated. but basically, you pay for the time on the machines, and when time is up, it's free for others to use.</p> <p>i'm sure your neighbors aren't trying to be rude. they probably feel bad when they move your clothes. it's just that they have no idea when you'll be back and they have to get their laundry done too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-733026 Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:22:02 +0000 raintreebee 733026@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi. Resident NYer here. I definitely think this is expected. Perhaps someone should wait a couple minutes before removing the clothes, but I don't think you can expect someone to keep checking on the machine until you remove the laundry at some unknown point in the future (at which point someone else could have even taken the machine). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-733015 Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:06:28 +0000 Bao 733015@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When we lived in our apartment we had the same laundry set up as you, and once I went down FOUR minutes after it should have been done and someone moved all my wet clothes. I was frustrated because they literally just got done. Now had my clothes been sitting there 30+ minutes I wouldn't be able to get upset because I know the feeling of not being able to get laundry done. Maybe just set a timer so you can go right back to get your laundry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-733011 Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:57:47 +0000 Mrs. Pen 733011@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow- I have never heard of this or even considered it is "normal"! That's crazy! I have obviously never lived somewhere with communal laundry so it's new to me. Idk I guess I just see it as disrespectful so I personally would never consider it and that's why it baffles me. </p> <p>I guess it's good to know that it's "expected" in communal situations. I will try to be better about getting my laundry right away- it's pretty hard with a kid though :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-733000 Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:43:38 +0000 Emsmems 733000@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have been on the giving and receiving end of this. If I have one day off to do my laundry, I need to get it done. I can't wait an hour for someone to get their laundry out (there were 2 washers and 2 dryers for 40 apts). I would set an alarm on my phone with a few minutes less than the machine ran so I would be down there when it was done because if you didn't, some days it may just sit there but some days someone would move it.</p> <p>Sorry, but I really doubt management will care. If anything, they may say it's your fault for not watching your laundry. Really, I feel it is a communal laundry expectation that you sit there while you do your laundry, so I was taking a risk by leaving it. I was not really mad if someone moved it, just annoyed and tried to be better with my timing. </p> <p>I would leave my empty laundry basket on top of the washer or dryer so at least the clothes would go in there if someone had to take them out. Good luck! I hope it gets better! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-732997 Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:40:31 +0000 mrsjazz 732997@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think this is an issue for management. They might just tell you to make sure you don't leave your clothes in the machines after the time is up. In most of the apartment buildings I've lived in once your machine stops and you're not there, people usually end up taking the clothes out. I never do because I don't like to touch other people's clothes. We always go down a few minutes before our clothes are done to avoid this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-732988 Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:37:17 +0000 wheres_c 732988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have to admit, in a communal laundry situation, I would wait 5 min if the machine had stopped running, then take them out.<br /> This as just always been my shared laundry experience.<br /> I always would try to get back before my cycle finished, otherwise I expected mine to be removed too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-732984 Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:34:28 +0000 pinkcupcake 732984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah when I lived in an apt bldg, it was expected that you either came and picked up your laundry promptly or the next person who needed to use it could remove it and place it on top of the machines or counters. On the flip side, if people are planning on doing their laundry within a certain window of time, it's frustrating having to wait around while someone's clothes are just sitting there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-732968 Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:21:24 +0000 MaisyMay 732968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>To be honest, in our condo building, the policy is that if your clothes are done and somebody needs the machine, they can put your clothes on the table. I've done it to wet clothes and dry on different occassions. For us, DH sets the timer on his watch. If we aren't back, our clothes may be out of the machines. That's just how shared laundry works. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-732966 Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:18:09 +0000 mrs. bird 732966@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i'm not sure there is anything they can do for you other than suggesting that if you aren't going to be able to get your laundry when it's done, to leave a basket for people to put it in or set a timer to go off so you go to get it right away. that's kind of par for the course if you live somewhere with shared laundry. it stinks, but so does waiting for a machine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-732954 Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:02:37 +0000 Cole 732954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would be bothered too but I understand that people don't really have a clue how long the clothes have been there or how long until you will be back. </p> <p>Can you leave a note on the machines with your phone number and a kind note saying "I will try my best to be back as soon as my clothes are finished but feel free to send me a text if you need me to move them so you can use the washer." You could even set up a google voice account if you don't want to use your real phone number.</p> <p>In college our laundry room had enough room that you could leave a basket in front of the machine you were using so people would do that and at least you knew your clothes would wind up somewhere clean. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-732922 Sun, 21 Apr 2013 15:58:12 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 732922@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs.Someone: This reminded me of dorm living too.</p> <p>If you don't want anyone handling your clothes at all you should either stay with your laundry the entire time or go back to the laundry room a few minutes before your cycle ends to transfer your clothes promptly. </p> <p>If a person wants to wash their clothes and sees all the machines full they likely will return to the laundry room when the stranger's cycle ends. Waiting a hour or half hour for the clothes' owner is inconvenient. To be fair, the other person doesn't know how long you will be before you return: 10 minutes, half hour, one hour or two hours etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-732921 Sun, 21 Apr 2013 15:57:22 +0000 Grace 732921@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That used to happen to me all the time. It's definitely one of the annoyances of apartment living. Thing is, all that talking to management will do is that they'll put up a sign but it won't stop people from doing it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-732909 Sun, 21 Apr 2013 15:44:16 +0000 Smurfette 732909@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: yeah, I do think it is weird that people don't think it is weird to touch others clothes. I mean no one wants to touch a strangers undies, even clean!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-732903 Sun, 21 Apr 2013 15:39:48 +0000 Mrs. Pen 732903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: I would never touch anyone else's clothes and there have been multiple times since living here I haven't been able to do laundry for a few days because people have left their clothes in there. But it is what it is- they were there first so I'm not going to touch their personal property. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rent-issue-should-i-talk-to-mgt#post-732902 Sun, 21 Apr 2013 15:37:06 +0000 Smurfette 732902@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly, this annoyed me too when it happened to me in the condo. But on the other hand it is really annoying when you need to do laundry and people have left their clothes and now you can't do laundry. I never moved people's clothes. I would just set a timer so you are down there to get the laundry as soon as it is done.<br /> Sorry, probably not the answer you were looking for. </p>