I think I will go for a Toshiba.  Will need to get one by this weekend.

Y dont u go for FL Panasonic?

Mine only 3 feet clearance, in front

FL, u have worktop

Get a repairman to assess first..chances are it could likely
be a hose need retightening or new seal, or developed a puncture. That should be cheap to repair. Worst it could a leak that developed near the tub spigot where connects to the hose. If repair is more than a certain amount say RM500, get a new machine.

Get a WM with drum clean. 5ppl should go 12kg top load or front load. Add wash option is available on FL already but Samsung adds Special door the pushes open and close halfway up the glass door that you don't need to pause the machine whilst the rest of had to paused before the water level exceeds the drum lip.

This is my working area.

8kg is fine for 4 adults twice a week but also depends on how often laundry accumulates to wash. I use that for 3 adults and 2 kids under 6yo also twice a week back then. Children 7 and above treat as 1 adult equivalent and below 7 as half adult equivalent. Now it's 5+2 and it's almost 5 times a week on my 8kg.

A 10kg barely scratch 2 hence my suggestion for 12.

What's the dimension of the area available? Is it too cramped due to water bib place restricting height of machine? Front load mostly LxWxH 60x60x85cm. Opening for doors need another 45-55cm clearance in front.

I use 8kg Hitachi Big Drum BD-W80MV. Quiet when it spins...muted hum vs airplane take off sound. Any machine will complain if overloaded even top load.

Yes, floor mats/clothes too.

Also today's FL quite intelligent...will adjust water level and time to completion according to load. A 10 or 12kg should allow a lighter drum load for 5 adults. If top load you can adjust water level. The ladies might even appreciate the Sharp holeless drum TL on their clothes.

Alternatively, thinking out of the current space, Is there an alternative placement for the that can be repurposed say a balcony on the first floor or a downstairs shared toilet that is large enough to take a large washing machine and you don't mind not using it for showers or space can be carved out from an overly generous shower area to create a zone for a WM separated by a shower curtain or say a glass or Alu framed acrylic partition. Many forumers do use such spaces.

8kg for 5person?

I use 12kg FL for 2person. Once a week. Not brought it by how many person cloth. But for comforter load size.

Mine is 10kg FL. We are 2 adults n 4 kids. 3 to 13 years old.

We wash once every 2 3 days. That's for normal daily clothes.  School uniforms, office wears etc.

Comforters,  bed linens, towels etc about once every 2 weeks

It it not big actually. Just nice for a queen size comforter. And once a week load wash.

Another advantage is that it reduce the wash to once a week. Which save time, water and energy.

It is a combo as well with a 7kg dryer.

Will even get a bigger if this wan spoil.

It's probably just a leaking drain hose, cause the residue from dirty water corroded the hose. If this is the case jus go Mr DIY buy a suitable hose replace it, save u a lot of money

Hi..

I'm planning to get one around the same budget too.

May I know which brand/model you ended up buying?