Yes, I agree. I recommend getting a quote from a licensed electrician and bring this to discuss with the landlord.
I find it incredible there are no standard outlets in the basement, considering there is a dryer down there. What would the washing machine plug into?
IIRC the code (at least around here in Canada) was up to 5 outlets/lights on a single 15A breaker. I would seriously look at doing this - put in a breaker and 1 or more outlets where they would be convenient, especially in the future. The only gotcha would be that if the basement is unfinished, and the wire runs along a bare (concrete) wall, the whole run needs to be in conduit. I don’t see why the landlord would complain - it enhances the value of the house and you’re paying for it.
I had a house built in 1962, and even then, the two-prong sockets were fed by a two-insulated-wire-plus-ground-wire feed. The ground wire was screwed to the metal utility box, so it was grounded. If I had ever properly installed that 3-prong adapter lug to the center screw, it would have been properly grounded. When it came time to replace the 2-prong with 3-prong sockets, we didn’t even turn off the breakers - just be very careful and don’t touch except with insulated pliers and screwdrivers, and connect that ground wire to the socket itself. I only blew up 2 outlets by touching the live socket to the box. Start over and get them right.
Builders trying to save on time and materials. Unless it is required by code and won’t pass inspection, most won’t don’t it. Or if it isn’t required according to the building contract.
Outlets tend to be sparse in basements. They’re designed for storage, not living.
Also, there’s is a 120v outlet in the basement for the washer. It’s a duplex outlet with the washing machine and (gas) dryer plugged into it. In fact, that’s the whole reason for the thread. The only outlets he can use are already tied up.
It wouldn’t surprise me if there’s another outlet somewhere in the basement. It might be hidden, but it’s probably there somewhere. It should be noted that there’s probably one for a sump pump (if there’s a sump pump), but you don’t want to use that one. You risk flooding the basement if you blow that breaker.
Also, code does require at least one outlet in the basement, in addition to the one for the washer and dryer (and few other things like the sump pump, furnace and other ‘specific equipment’).
However, A)not every house is up to code and B)If someone is living in a non-habitable basement, especially if it’s with the blessing of the landlord (which I don’t think we know if it is or not), codes probably aren’t a major concern.