“We’re paying more for less”: Palmy halls residents now paying for laundry on top of increased rent

Students in Massey’s halls are feeling the heat, and it's not coming from the dryers. 

This year, a new laundry system was introduced leaving students paying $3 per wash and $1 per 15 minutes drying cycle.  

This change came in the same year that catered hall fees rose from around $8000 to $9000 per semester.  

While the change is included in the hall handbook, many students were unaware until they moved in.  

Resident Harry Edwards said he first learned about the laundry charges only on moving day, which he found frustrating and poorly handled.  

“It would have been nice to hear about it earlier rather than getting blindsided.” 

Residents in catered halls now pay $450 per week, or $18,000 per academic year for a single fully catered room. Self-catered halls are priced lower at $260 to $280 per week, adding up to $10,400 to $11,200 per year depending on the hall. 

Edwards urged Massey to be more transparent and consult students before making such changes. “It requires electricity to run the machines, sure, but students deserve to know why costs are going up and to have a say in decisions that affect their budgets.” 

Victoria University had a similar issue in 2022, when Stuff reported students frustrated with paying for laundry on top of “extortionate” rent fees. 

Edwards questioned why laundry costs are separate when hall fees already include rent, internet and power.  

While Edwards had gotten used to cramming the washing machine as full as he can, he plans to move out of the halls next year, partly motivated by the increasing costs. 

Resident Baibhab Bhattacharjee, experienced the shift first hand having living in the halls last year when the laundry was free.  

On the hall fee increase, Bhattacharjee’s opinion was clear: “No, the $9000 rent is not justified with the new laundry charges.” 

When the paid system kicked in, he found the prices “steep” and felt the change was “a shake up in the wrong direction”. 

He criticised the lack of transparency and student consultation, feeling Massey “didn't care about us, they just want money”. 

“Paying a dollar for 15 minutes of drying is a rip off.” Now he uses a drying rack to avoid costs.  

Many students also hang washed clothes on the curtain railings of their rooms.  

He suggested a compromise where free laundry could be allowed up to a limit, like three times a week, after which charges could apply. 

Kelly Manning, national manager for Massey’s accommodation said laundry cost the change “offers greater fairness and transparency”. 

While the cost used to be included in the overall room rate, Manny said when the laundry facilities were upgraded, a user-pays model was implemented to ensures residents only pay for what they use.  

When asked if students were consulted before the decision was made, Manning said it was an “operational decision”.  

Massey maintained that details about the laundry charges were included in the accommodation handbook and on their website, and that students acknowledged this information when accepting a place in the hall.  

Manning said the money paid through the laundry app -- Air Wallet -- goes directly to the university to cover costs of providing the machines.  

Despite the shift to paid laundry and $1000 rise in catered hall fees, Manning claimed students are paying roughly the same amount as before when laundry was bundled in.  

Unlike returning students who experienced the shift, for first year residents paid laundry was their new normal. Many budget hacks showed their reluctant acceptance. From washing clothes less often, sometimes only every few weeks, and prioritising essentials like socks and underwear. 

Resident and Vet student Riddhima Jain said her degree makes the laundry system extra expensive.  

As a Vet student, she must wear overalls for practicals which get heavily soiled and required frequent washing. So, she started washing her overalls with her other vet and animal science friends to cut down on costs.  

She believed it is unfair that residents this year must pay extra for laundry while it was included in previous years.  

Jeanine D’Costa , a first-year resident, had developed her own hacks to save money on laundry. 

“Thermals keep me warm so I can wear my outer layers multiple times without washing them as often,” she explained.  

She also recommends buying a slightly bigger drying rack before moving in, plus a dehumidifier for the room to speed up drying times indoors.  

While she expected to pay for laundry, D’Costa stressed that planning your laundry routine and preparing your room ahead of time can save a lot of money and hassle during the year. 

For students living on tight budgets, every dollar matters, and every unexpected charge adds up. As hall fees rise and services shrink, residents are left asking a simple question – what exactly are we paying more for?