Sneaking a washer/dryer against co-op rules

that model you show from what i have heard doesnt dry jeans and towels well.

As much as you'd like to sneak that model in - if for any reason you needed some work in your unit and the superintendent catches you with it installed, there could be repercussions. And that type of washer will require more permanent connections to the water supply and drain.

I suggest a portable washer, something along the lines of these models: http://www.compactappliance.com/xq/JSP.jump/itemType.CATEGORY/itemID.46/qx/Portable_Washers.htm

You basically hook the connection to your sink and also drain it through your existing drain. And since it's portable - just hide it when necessary.

Though, I'm still trying to figure out the drying portion.

Wouldn't there also be potential fire hazard and building permit issues? If so there could be a good reason why a coop (or condo) board may not allow this. You should check with the particular board.

There was just an article about this in the NY Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01EFD6133AF935A2575AC0A9619C8B63

If your machine floods and there is damage to your unit, or worse--someone else's--good luck. Your insurance probably wouldn't cover illegally installed appliances that cause damage.

I live in a coop in Brooklyn Heights and have a similar situation. If the laundry thing is important then wait until you get a place with it. Alot of the coops are older and the plumbing can't take a washer or they have a contract with someone that supplies the ones in the laundry room and their deal is based on how many units don't have washer/dryer.

Buildings with old pipes often can't handle the suds from a washer. If you're going to sneak one in (which for insurance/liabitiy reasons I would not recommend), make sure you use low-suds detergent!

I'm not going to comment on the right/wrong and legal aspect(s) of doing something clearly against board rules, BUT as a person who has owned portable washer(s) & dryer(s) since the early 1980's.

I love my Sears Kenmore portable washer and dryer. Last time I looked, the pair sells for around 1,100.00. The washer is on wheels and snap connects to your sink. You unscrew your current adapter and put on one with a long neck (it looks like this http://www.repairclinic.com/SmartSearch/SSPartDetail.aspx?PartID=2321&PPStack=1 ), and you are up and running. The dryer has a 3 prong plug and you buy a flexible tube/vent that connects from the back of the dryer to a plastic slotted rectangular box that you half fill with water. The air blows the lint through the vent into the water, so your apartment doesn't fill up with lint. It will, however, fill up with hot air if you don't stick the tube/vent out the window rather than into the box. Great in the winter, hell on earth in the summer. Both the washer and dryer are about two feet wide, and each fits a regular size load. I air dry my clothes until they are 3/4 dry and then toss them into the dryer to save $$$ on electricity. You have to clean the lint filter after each load and vacuum the tube/vent and behind the lint filter a few times a year to keep it drying efficently.

I don't see how suds could affect old pipes because you get suds going down the shower and sink drains from dishwashing liquid, shampoo and soap anyway ... but assuming it does have some effect, I have not seen it and my current place was built in the 1860's. The water draining from the washer is no more pressure than if you ran your faucet at full blast. Both filling and draining take a little while because of this.

The drain hose for the washer is secured with a clamp. Only once have I had a mishap. My movers unclamped the hose from the back during my last move, and slid the hose back on sans clamp (without telling me) when they were done. The first time I used it here, the water pressure from the drain cycle blew the hose off. Lifting the lid immediately stops whatever the washer is doing (filling, draining, spinning, etc), and I happened to be only a few feet away when it happened, so the water wasn't anything a few towels and a mop couldn't handle ... but if I had left it unattended I would have had a disaster on my hamds. The hoses are securely clamped on, and getting that clamp off requires considerable effort (and pliars). It couldn't just fall off by acident during normal use or anything.

My Sears Kenmore sets have seen very heavy use. The first set lasted over 10 years and my second set is going on 13 years.

LG has come out with a washer/dryer all-in-one and you can buy a kit (wheels and a Y connector) to turn it into a portable model. It doesn't need venting because the dryer sends the moisture out through the sink hose. It supposedly uses only 1/3rd of the water other washers use and is super energy efficient even though it takes hours and hours to dry a load. It's rather pricey, and you can't use the sink while it is either washing or drying (with a Kenmore, you just press a button on the snap connector to use the faucet during a load). I have heard there are lots of repair issues with the LG models, but I suppose that they will work out all the kinks in the next few years. I love my Sears Kenmore set but because of space issues I would consider getting the LG in the furure.

Last year, my insurance company sued a neighbor for almost 10k in water damage to my kitchen and living room for leaving on a faucet on when the building shut off the pipes. I wouldn't risk a washer... if you damage someone else's apartment its going to cost you a fortune. You might as well send out your laundry.