Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

AIBU to think this is totally unreasonable?

77 replies

gallifrey · 04/09/2013 12:51

We have recently moved into a nice (rented) house in a new area. While we were in the estate agents reading the contract it states that we are not permitted to leave the house unattended while the washing machine is on!!
I didn't say anything at the time but was quite bemused by this clause and wondered
a, if they were allowed to do this
b, how would they know?

Every time I put a load of washing on I think about this and it pisses me off!

OP posts:

500internalerror · 05/09/2013 09:50

I never thought about washing machines, but its always unnerved me that people leave food in the oven & go out!

burberryqueen · 05/09/2013 09:51

to stop someone from going out in my opinion is wrong - um .....nobody is being prevented from going out.......

HelgatheHairy · 05/09/2013 09:51

Anyone know if its the same risk if the washing machine is paused?? I don't normally go out when there's a wash on but if I have to I pause the wash because the dog goes in the kitchen and he doesn't like the washing machine.

EATmum · 05/09/2013 09:52

After I did fire warden training with the Fire Brigade I became obsessive about switching off appliances and even plug sockets when we go to bed. Annoys my parents when we go on holiday with them but there you go! The thought of something happening while we're all in bed terrifies me. Am totally guilty of leaving things on in the day though ... But may rethink after this thread!

duchessandscruffy · 05/09/2013 09:52

Yes, it is because of fire risk I think. However, I would be fucked because everytime I am about to go out the house I always think 'shiiit, haven't put the washing on' and have to rush to do it before leaving the house!

LeGavrOrf · 05/09/2013 09:56

I had never thought of that. I am always doing it.

I go out with the oven on and something cooking on the hub as well.

JRmumma · 05/09/2013 09:58

EATmum bet you don't turn the fridge freezer off though!

SarahAndFuck · 05/09/2013 10:00

I think it's the risk of fire, and it probably is something the landlord has been asked to include for his or her insurance.

I can understand it. We could have had an electrical fire when I turned the drier on one day. I noticed a wisp of smoke and that fishy smell that burning electrics have and switched everything off.

It's lucky I was still in the same room, let alone in the same house, to be honest, and now we never go out or even go to bed with the washing machine or dryer running. I don't even like to leave the TV on standby.

If you are in the house (and awake) you would probably notice the smoke and certainly hear the smoke alarm, hopefully before things got too out of control and in time to switch the machine off before it caught fire or call the fire brigade if need be.

Montybojangles · 05/09/2013 10:06

Of course you leave your fridge on 24/7, that's what it's designed to do.

Your fridge uses 35watts of electricity. A washer uses 2000 watts to heat, 500 watts to spin and 200 watts to wash an average wash load. Hence the massive fire risk.

Montybojangles · 05/09/2013 10:07

Sorry posted too soon, -fire risk in comparison to a fridge. The risk is still pretty small, but it does happen.

Runningchick123 · 05/09/2013 10:14

I leave the tv on regularly when i go out. It stems from my days living in a burglary hotspot when the police used to go around and advise people to leave the tv on as it would keep a burglar guessing if he looked through the window.
I also often leave on the slow cooker and go out - that's the whole point of them in my thought process.
I also leave the washing machine on but that's kept out in the garage so technically I am not close to it even if I haven't gone out.

I must be a walking, talking hazard.

TakeItAsRed · 05/09/2013 10:19

Responding to the OP, rather than the fire debate (because it can equally well be a flooding issue)

There is always opportunity to review a contract before signing, and if not offered then that time should be insisted on. If you don't like a clause, then the time to debate it is before signing.

When you signed, you agreed that you found the terms acceptable and would abide by them. Why has this become an issue now?

BlackeyedSusan · 05/09/2013 10:21

how come your washing takes 2 hours?

though if the machine came with the house..

CiderBomb · 05/09/2013 10:25

I'd never leave my tumble dryer on when I'm not in, but I've left the washer on many times. I'd no idea that they are a greater fire hazard than a tumble dryer.

Abra1d · 05/09/2013 10:27

It seems very unlikely that a well-maintained oven left on at the correct temperature could cause a fire. It's enclosed, no friction, no moving parts. I always set my oven timer to come on when I'm doing a school pick-up so that the dinner is ready as we come through the door.

oldgrandmama · 05/09/2013 10:54

My fridge/freezer sort of blew up one night ... the back of it was all charred and smoking. Luckily I had some emergency electrical insurance policy and a very nice Polish electrician came out at half past midnight and made everything safe.

I often leave washing machine, dishwasher going when I'm out or asleep.

NoComet · 05/09/2013 10:57

Since my washing machine is in the extension it could be burning away merrily as I type.

It won't set off the downstairs fire alam, there are two closed doors in the way!

SirChenjin · 05/09/2013 12:41

how come your washing takes 2 hours?

My washing can take 2 hours, depending on the programme - and it's a fairly new machine

BlingBang · 05/09/2013 12:52

The general washing cycles on my w/m are for 3 hrs. There is a 1hr 40min that I use for everyday.

LittleprincessinGOLDrocks · 05/09/2013 12:59

I won't leave my dishwasher on when I go out. Our last dishwasher set alight whilst running. If DH hadn't been in the kitchen at the time it could have caused a massive fire.
I think it is an understandable clause really.
Though I will admit I am guilty of leaving the washer on and going out, but that is because my washer takes nearly 4 hours to do a 40 degree wash!

LittleprincessinGOLDrocks · 05/09/2013 13:01

And I should say this is a brand new washer - A rated all singing all dancing. I was shocked it took so long. Mine is a Bush.

valiumredhead · 05/09/2013 13:09

Not unreasonable imo,I never leave appliances ruining due to fire risk. Our dishwasher blew up last year, black smoke every where thank good I was in the house. I'd never run anything before going to bed either.

DeWe · 05/09/2013 13:29

It's meant to be one of the most common single causes of house fires after smoking/candles, I think. Though strangely I haven't heard of anyone it has actually happened to.

Although our washing machine did emit black smoke once when I was a child. It was 15 years old and one of the top loaders... and it turned out to be a problem with the socket, not the machine. but there you go.

LeGavrOrf · 05/09/2013 13:35

Christ at the washing cycles.

Mine has a quick wash at 40 which takes 45 mins and I used that for most washes.

valiumredhead · 05/09/2013 13:53

4 hours to do a wash? how are your clothes not ruined and worn out? I have a 30 min wash I'd never get any washing done with a long cycle

Flip

1 2 3 4