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> Laundry. That just might be the perfect example. What a huge division of experience between the wealthy and the less wealthy. While a bit off-topic: I never
by freeflight 7y ago
> Laundry. That just might be the perfect example. What a huge division of experience between the wealthy and the less wealthy.
While a bit off-topic: I never understood why a lack of washing machines in flats is such a huge issue in some countries.
In Germany, most flats come with a connector for your own washing machine, those that don't have on inside the flat often have them in the basement, where every party living in the house just adds their washing machine.
Public laundromats do exist, but from what I can gather they are quite underutilized because there's barely any demand.
Does anybody happen to know why these vast differences in "washing machine availability" exist in other countries? Is it really that much more expensive to lay the water/wastewater lines for washing machines inside the flats? Doesn't all that just plug into the same plumbing that's already there?
- esotericn 7y agoGermany is usually used as an example of good tenants' rights, though. I've never lived there but my understanding is that there's nothing wrong with renting, well off people might do it too, and so it's comfortable. Apartment living mixed with bad tenants rights is a recipe for disaster because the majority of people then end up basically living in a minimum standard hellhole that no-one cares about. See: UK private rental sector.
- freeflight 7y agoI checked if it's something that's required by tenants law, but from what I could gather nothing like a "tenants right to a washing machine in their house/flat" exists in Germany. And it's not like the situation is that perfect either, these past years rents have been exploding in most places with any economic development. Government response has been slow to non-existent on the issue.
- esotericn 7y agoIt doesn't have to be legally enshrined for the general attitude to help the situation, though. A bit like how buses in the US, or at least the parts I've visited, seem to be a shitfest, because they're only a thing poor people use, whereas in Europe they're often a lot better not due to legislation per se.
- fyfy18 7y agoIn my Eastern European country it's the same deal, basically everyone has their own washing machine (often washer-dryer in one unit). It's usually fitted in the kitchen or bathroom rather than a separate laundry room. Some buildings are five stories without an elevator, yet the residents at the top still have washing machines. Unlike Germany, it usually comes as part of the apartment when you rent it. Thinking about it now, I don't even think I've ever seen a laundromat in my city...
- nerdponx 7y agoI can speak for why this happens in New York City: 1. Lack of space in apartments 2. Lack of basement space to put shared washing machines 3. Cheap landlord who doesn't want to install/maintain shared washing machines