One issue for rental properties which have handicap accessible units and a central laundry area is ensuring that people with disabilities are able to easily access the laundry area. This can be a major expense for some communities, in situations where the shared laundry area is not on a ground floor. In addition, the washer and dryers in the laundry area have to be front-loading, and cannot be stacked, in order to be ADA compliant. For most communities, meeting the ADA requirements is a challenge due to the size of shared laundry areas and the placement of appliances within the space. The easiest way to avoid the expenses associated with making shared laundry areas ADA compliant is to install a washer dryer combo in all of your handicap accessible units.
A combination washer and dryer is a front loading appliance and meets reasonably accessible ADA requirements. They are easy to load, unload, and control for people with disabilities, even wheelchair-bound people. The placement of the appliance within the rental home does need to be in a location where there are no obstructions in front of the washer and dryer in one.
Installation is not difficult, even in rental homes without existing laundry connections. All that is required is access to hot and cold water lines, a drain line, and a standard 3-prong 110V outlet, since the dryer uses ventless drying technologies. The appliance could be installed under the countertop in the kitchen or bathroom, or by converting a hallway or bedroom closet.
To learn more about washer dryer combo appliances for your handicap accessible rental units, call us at 800-875-1533.
