I have a complex that has laundry and tenant storage in the basement. I’m thinking of putting the lights on a timer to turn off at night. I’d rather tenants not go into the basement at night. Is there a reason I can’t or shouldn’t? --98.10.xx.xx

Because they will and get hurt and you will be liable or they will use a candle or something. Motion sensor light. --173.61.xxx.xxx

Install motion sensors or buy motion sensor lights then install a storeroom lock with UL door closure so when tenants leave the door automatically locks. A lot depends on sound proofing of laundry where can install Roxul sound proofing batt in ceiling. Natural gas coin dryers run for 45 minutes which is less time in laundry room. A commercial front load washing machine uses 40 per cent less water along with a small amount of hot water. The spin speed is much faster where less water in clothes where less drying time. Installing security cameras is worthwhile where will prevent theft of laundry equipment. It is common not to break into laundry machines but steal the entire machine. --207.236.xxx.xxx

And you want to turn of a basement light! Brilliant! --47.155.xx.x

I go in the basement at all hours. Motion light perhaps. Are you saying you want to limit when they do laundry? Are your breakers in the basement? Do you have a thing against light switches? --73.230.xxx.xx

Install LED bulbs - then even if the light is on 24/7 it will only cost pennies (if that is your concern?) --68.229.xxx.xxx

Can you put in led light fixture. Reduce electric usage with these new bulbs. --172.59.xxx.xx

with LED lights, the cost of having them on all the the time is much cheaper than you think! --99.92.xx.xx

Why do you care what time tenants go into the basement? If there are issues of noise complaints or they start a load of laundry at night and don’t remove clothes till morning causing another tenant not to be able to do laundry then set rules and issue violations. If there are no issues then let them do their laundry and access their storage when it suits them. --73.159.xxx.xx

If you don't want them down there at night, lock the laundry at night... except then you must have someone onsite to lock it at night and unlock it in the morning --76.178.xxx.xxx

You can put them on certain areas but in all honesty, if it's a two or three unit property (or something small) you can have each unit have their own set of lights for the basement... It's tougher when there are too many units but I have a few that are two unit and they each have their own light switches and lights for the basement. They pay for it so if they leave them on... that's their issue, not mine. --69.201.xx.xxx

The motion unit that feeds other lights is a good idea, if breakers are there you have no choice but to provide illumination, fire, building, electrical code, this is why I use electric hot water, they don't need to be restarted in a wind storm. --184.59.xxx.xx

So what happens when there is a need for you to go there after dark at night for an emergency repair of say the hot water tank? --24.101.xxx.xxx