Looking at a second-floor place on Rogers Ave, right above one of those laundromats that’s got dryers running from around 6am until late. The unit itself is a decent prewar one-bed, but the bedroom window is directly over the dryers and the sidewalk vent. Broker says it’s “white noise” and the heat stays outside. I’ve lived near busy buses, so I’m not precious, but having constant hot exhaust blowing up at the window in August feels like something you only learn after signing.

Anyone actually live above one around PLG/Crown Heights? What’s the real deal?

Oh I think I know exactly that block! I’m new to the area and used that laundromat once after a moving box incident. The dryers do run early and it gets really warm on the sidewalk. I never thought about the apartments above, but when I walked by at 7:30am the air was like a heater. Do you know if the building has the old radiators too? Maybe winter is the bigger issue if your window has to stay open.

People really underestimate dryer vents! The key is whether the exhaust vent points straight up toward your window or gets directed down the block. If it’s the flat silver box under the sign, hot linty air can absolutely collect around a second-floor window, especially with the prewar air shaft effect. You need to go stand in the bedroom with the window open while a load is drying. Not just look at the place! Have you tried visiting at 7am or 10pm? Also check the rear wall — sometimes the heat gets trapped and turns the whole back room into a lint oven. This is exactly the kind of thing brokers call white noise.

Lived above a laundromat when I first moved back, not on Rogers but close enough. It wasn’t the dryers that got me — it was the 6:15 metal cart over the tile, then the doors sliding, then the heat. The dryer smell gets into your sheets if the window is open. It’s not a permanent nightmare, but if you WFH or sleep light, it’s a slow grind. I’d pass unless the bedroom is at the back and you can run an AC. Rogers has enough other spots a block off the avenue.

I’m new to NYC leases, so maybe dumb question: can you ask the current tenant or just knock on the neighboring building? The broker made it sound normal, but the heat thing seems like a health issue if there’s no AC. Does the building even allow a window unit over that vent? I was also looking at a place near Parkside and the super at least told me the boiler runs hot. Is that typical to ask before signing?

@not_from_here yeah old radiators on the wall under the bedroom window, not turned on when I viewed. The vent is the flat box under the sign and the window is right above it, so that’s exactly what I was worried about. @BoroughPark_B that’s the kind of thing I wanted to hear. I don’t think I can WFH in a dryer hum all day. @newbie_nate_nyc you can ask, but brokers get weird. I might try the takeout place next door and ask if anyone lives upstairs.

YES! The flat vent under the sign is the problem! That style just points hot exhaust out at sidewalk level and lets the building create a little eddy. If there is no exterior deflection, the hot air gets stuck under the fire escape. Have you checked whether the laundromat has a second vent on the roof? If the roof vent is active, sometimes the window heat is not as bad. Also ask if they do dry-cleaning chemicals on site — that’s a whole different smell. Not exactly a dealbreaker, but you want to know before you unpack your sweaters!

Forgot to mention: the one I lived above had a roof blower and still baked. The real question is if the bedroom is directly over the folding table, because that’s where the steam and dryer exhaust bump. If it’s over the front counter, maybe you survive. But on Rogers, street noise plus that vent means your window is closed all of July. If the rent is good and you don’t care, okay. Otherwise keep walking toward Lefferts, the side blocks are quieter than the avenue.

Okay I just walked by around 6:30 this morning because I was up too early anyway, and you can actually hear the dryers from the sidewalk near the side door. It’s not super loud, but it’s definitely humming through the wall. The air felt about ten degrees warmer right by the vent. I think I’d miss having the window open more than anything. Thanks for making me notice, I was going to keep my window closed in the summer at my place now.

Is there any rule about vent exhaust blowing directly onto a window? I thought 311 or the DEP might care if it’s a nuisance, but I don’t know if that applies to a second-floor window. Also, would a window AC even be able to pull in enough air if it’s sitting over that heat? Asking because I saw the listing and it’s still tempting for the price.

Appreciate all of this. I went back during a drying cycle and the bedroom was noticeably warmer, and when I opened the window I got a face full of warm lint air. The broker texted that the landlord will replace the window guard but not add a deflector. I’m gonna pass and look on the Lefferts side like @BoroughPark_B said. If anyone else is looking at that block, just don’t take the bedroom over the dryers unless you love sleeping in a laundry basket.