Washing machine mystery

[paigeoliver]

Monday I was down in the basement of my apartment building and I noticed that there was a washer and dryer hooked up to the hookups that were labeled for my apartment.

I thought about it a bit and decided to unplug them to see if they got used. Wednsday I tossed a sock in the washer too for good measure. The reason I did that is because I wanted to see if the last tenant had left them there, or if someone was just stealing my power. I didn't want to ask around, because I figured someone would certainly claim them then.

Well they have remained untouched all week. Do you guys think it is safe to claim them yet, or should I wait a while longer?

A quick note, I only recently moved into this apartment, this was the first time I had even looked at the washer dryer hookup area. I just wanted to clarify that, so no one thought that they just showed up on monday or something.

[APFelon]

I think you should do whatever you want with them (aside from having them hauled to the dump). If someone comes around looking for them, you can always claim that you thought that they were included in the lease and return them after asking why they were attached to your utilities.

APf

[Spaced Invader]

I think you should engrave your name on them so you can "prove" they are yours.  

Seriously, I'm with AP here. They're in your spot hooked to your utilities. If someone moved out and left a brand new microwave setting on your counter would you hesitate to use it? If someone shows up to claim them you can relenquish ownership then...after they explain why they've been stealing your power that is. Just my opinion.

Edit: Spelling Impaired

[zero-one]

I'd wait at least 2 weeks before doing anything. It takes some people 2 weeks to accumulate enough clothes to wash.

[hyiu]

since you mentioned you live in an apt...

then I would suppose you have a "super" that deals with this...
it would be best just to ask him....

I would say.. if this is the first time you go down and check, and its already there... and its not "brand new"... then I think its yours.... (like when you buy a house... major appliances are included....)

but if it looks like brand new out of a box never used... probably someone bought it and hooked it up to the wrong place....

my $0.0002 cents...

ps: I never lived in an apt... lol....  
so take it at your own risk....  

[RacerX]

If they're hooked up to your utilities, then you have every right to use them, IMHO.  Certainly you don't want to remove them from the premises just in case it is just a mistake somebody made until you can verify that they were abandoned.

[paigeoliver]

Well, I have claimed them.

When it came time to actually use them I noticed that the breaker was off for them, and the center spinny thing in the washer was out of the washer and sitting on the table beside it. I reinstalled that, turned on the breaker (which was in my box), and they both worked perfectly.

I didn't want to talk to the landlord because I didn't want him claiming them. I doubt he even knew they were there. He evicted someone on a monday, and I moved in on that friday.

[Spaced Invader]

I envy you. My ex-girfriend just moved out and had the nerve to take hers with her. On the plus side the nearest laundrymat is across the street from the local university (with an 75% female enrollment). And it's also a bar.

[jr76]

I envy you. My ex-girfriend just moved out and had the nerve to take hers with her. On the plus side the nearest laundrymat is across the street from the local university (with an 75% female enrollment). And it's also a bar.

We have one of these places here, I forget what the name of the joint is though. Suddsy Malone's <sp?> sounds right. Cincinnati by the way.

[shmokes]

Heh...I'd sell my washer and dryer if we had a joint like that where I live.  Although my wife may not approve  

[shumph]

I envy you. My ex-girfriend just moved out and had the nerve to take hers with her. On the plus side the nearest laundrymat is across the street from the local university (with an 75% female enrollment). And it's also a bar.

We have one of these places here, I forget what the name of the joint is though. Suddsy Malone's <sp?> sounds right. Cincinnati by the way.

we get dirty dungarees